My heart goes out for the people of Christchurch. Earthquakes are a very dangerous and deadly attack from mother nature, I may come from NZ but I don't know anyone in Christchurch, I heard my mum had cousins who are ok.
I heard alot of people died while walking on footpaths not known there was an earthquake (because you cant feel earthquakes while outside) till the footpath shelters fell on top of them.
I found this interesting picture.

Obviously before and after.