Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Friday, 14 October 2022

Early morning wake up jolt!!!

This morning just after 3 a.m . Boris leapt off our bed and raced to safety in the guest room. Next thing we had rumbles and a shake, the quake was centred over 160km  km in a straight line  from us, north west off French Pass, the channel between the mainland at the top of the South Island  and D'Urville Island. The deepest colour is where the quake was felt the strongest, then medium orange, palest was where it was felt lightly. The small circle in the blue is the centre of the quake. Courtesy of the Internet. 
According to Geonet New Zealand, the earthquake was  5.7 magnitude, a depth of 146 km, and 65 km northwest of French Pass. 

French Pass is the channel between D'Urville Island and the mainland, there is a whirlpool there, and the current races through.Treacherous waters, all boats need to be aware of the danger.





This is the road from Havelock, through Rai Valley, out past Elaine Bay, Waikawa Bay and finally there. Vehicles are warned of extreme gusts, and to be aware of this, many years ago  a van was blown off the road!!! There is a beach there, a jetty, and a small camping area.The small school, a one room building built in 1913, was  closed in 2006.
We stayed there in 1986, at the almost end of a year in the South Island with our caravan,  went for a few days, that turned into 3 wonderful weeks.A small community that welcomed us with such generosity. A meal with the then District nurse, Peggy Young and Alan, wild venison, so yummy,  the school pupils who came to my rescue to help pull down the caravan awning when a gale blew through,  while  Hugh was taken to D'Urville Island with a local man, on the mail run.

Memories to last my lifetime.

Southern Hospitality at its very best.


Quotation of the day, author unknown

" Earthquakes are an unpredictable hazard"

Greetings from Jean


21 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jean,

I hope you and your family are safe, the earthquakes are scary. Maryland had a little earthquake this week, only a magnitude 2. Pretty view of the road and bay. Have a great day and a happy weekend.

Marie Smith said...

Boris is a great warning system! Glad you came through ok.

Jane said...

Oh my! That's what you call a rude awakening! Glad you are safe and hope that the friends you made in the quake area are safe also. You have led an interesting life.

Hugs
Jane

Barbara Anne said...

Yikes! I once read "When the ground starts shaking, all bets are off!"

There is a streaming program called "Draining the Oceans" that I quit watching because of the scary undersea volcanoes all over the planet that I'd rather not know about.

Wishing you well!

Allie said...

Yikes hope everyone is ok! Not exactly the way you want to wake in the morning....what a beautiful area.

Sandra said...

Wow! I have never experienced an earthquake and never want to. Did you have damage?

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Oh my goodness Jean! I am sure glad you had Boris there to warn you! Did you have anything falling off shelves or other damage? Stay safe! ((hugs))

Jenny said...

We never woke up, so never felt a thing!

Susan Heather said...

It is amazing how animals can sense these things before they happen. Hope everything is going well for you at the moment.

Mystic Quilter said...

I'll be watching the news tonight - must have missed it last night! Loved going through Havelock when we visited relatives in Blenheim and then on to their holiday place in Kenepuru Sound - stunning place - ah, I do miss being in Christchurh. Happy memories for you both.

Carol Mattingly Photography said...

Prayers you will be safe and no additional quakes or major aftershocks. Heavens I don't know what it's like living where there are major earthquakes, but it must unnerving for sure. Glad to hear you guys are ok. Take care Jean and Hugh. Carol

Inger said...

I know how it feels having been awakened by an earthquake - a big one at that, which made me fall off the couch where I had fallen asleep. Our cat was gone for several days after that, but finally came home again. I hope Boris is OK.

Kathleen said...

Oh, that is frightening to be awakened that way. It sounds like you were ok, which I am glad to hear.

Dee said...

Dear Jean, Wow! I can't imagine what an earthquake wake-up call must be like. Scary for sure. I hope all is well for those who lived in the quake--people and animals and trees. I hope also that you have no nightmares. Peace from Dee

Jenn Jilks said...

Good grief. Fire, floods, earthquakes, cold. What a crazy time we live in. I'm glad you are good.

Sharon - IN said...

Boris ran from you! How interesting, remember that as a future signal. But hopefully no more earth quakes. Glad you are all ok.

Julie Fukuda said...

Here in Japan, being shaken awake is not an uncommon experience. Sometimes there is an alert coming to the cell phone, and I find that more scary. Pets can be pretty good warning calls too. Glad you are OK.

Veronica Lee said...

Sounds like a scary experience!

Glad you are okay.

Cheryl said...

I am glad you are safe from the earthquake. I hope that you did not have any property damage.

Tanya said...

Earthquakes are a way of life for us too in Japan. The cats always know the best hiding places when the house starts to shake!

Fundy Blue said...

Earthquakes are always unsettling. I'm glad that your area was not shaken too badly. I experienced many when I lived in California. Your photo of the road is fabulous. What a strikingly beautiful place. Memories to last a lifetime indeed, Jean!