Significant destruction has occurred in New Zealand as a result of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake near the town of Kaikoura, about 2 hours drive north of Christchurch. Video footage shows significant surface rupture causing damage to homes and infrastructure. There have been numerous landslides as well. The town of Kaikoura had to be evacuated, including about 1,000 tourists, after it was left without power by the event. Only two casualties have been reported based on the information I have heard, and it’s fortunate there was not more loss of life. [Source: CNN.com. Image: Mirror.co.uk]
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Geologic Hazard Photos
The National Geodetic Data Center (NGDC) of NOAA has an online collection of photos of various geologic hazards. Many of the photos are from older sets of 35mm slides that have been digitized. They are free to use provided you credit the photographer and the NGDC as the source. The would be really useful for educators and for powerpoint presentations. The only drawback is that they are in TIF format and some of them could use some retouching. (Photo by University of Colorado, made available by NOAA/NGDC)