Breaking News: The Devastating Earthquake

As you might know, another earthquake striked Christchurch, which was a dreadful disaster. The earthquake was HUGE, it was 6.3 magnitudes. Many of the buildings, were obliterated, during the devastating earthquake, which put a lot of peoples lives to danger.

There was horrible news from all around the environment. Some people were crying on news and some were trying to get hold of their friends and family. Buses are pulverised and building have been destroyed.

“It’s like 2012 has begun” Tuipolotu whispered quietly in Seini-Mino’s ear. I heard him saying it... I did so not believe 2012 so I said ”Noooo!!” soundlessly.

“...I hope that everybody in Christchurch is safe in sound, and will be able to meet their beloved ones very soon, Amen. I murmured in a low tone.

Active Earth

Guess what we are learning about? Well Pt England School is learning about Volcanoes and about things that are associate to Earth such as Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Volcanoes and much more. I am mostly looking forward to knowing all the things that relate to Volcanoes such as Magma, Lava, Tectonic Plates, Subduction and much more.

Fun Facts:

1. Do you know New Zealand's biggest volcano? New Zealand's biggest Volcano is Taupo.

2. Do you know where the biggest Volcano is, in the whole universe? In the whole universe te biggest volcano is on Mars.

3. A volcano off coast of Italy, erupts once every 20 minutes! Its known as lighthouse of Mediterranean.

4. Every year 20 to 30 volcanoes erupt.

5. On Hawaii, Mauna Loa is the largest live volcano on Earth! One of the eruption lasted for 1 and 1/2 years.

6. Did you know Volcanoes are named after Vulcan. This is the roman god of fire and metalwork.

7. Mount St. Helens is 4,500 years old - young for a volcano.

8. Tsunami is a Japanese word for wave breaking in the harbour.

9. The worlds newest island appeared near Tonga in 1995.

10. Most of the Earths Volcanoes are under the sea.

11. There are no Volcanoes in Australia.

12. To Keep volcanoes dormant, the Actecs fed them women.

13. The volcanoes on Venus may still be active.

So these were the awesome facts about Volcanoes. I am looking for forward to all the things that I will be learning this term. Thank You.

I would specially like to thank ( http://www.catravelservices.com/management/tours/pictures/Tour-ArenalVolcano.jpg ) for this lovely image.

The Fiordland Earthquake

"Hi Mr Campbell" we were talking to a Geologist that research's scientists. He was going to tell us about the Fiordland Earthquake that happened at the South Island. This happened on July 16th 09. Luckily that there were no people killed by that Earthquake. That Earthquake was 30 seconds long. The name of this earthquake is called Dusky Sound Earthquake.

Earthquakes are so dangerous because they happen so quickly. They do not give warnings e.g (When a Tornado comes or a Volcano is going to erupt they give us warnings before they come.) Well this is a bit different when an earthquake comes people do not know whether they are going to come or not. Mr Campbell told us that in Tangshan, China 1976 there was an earthquake. It was for 15 seconds and 242, 000 people died from that earthquake.

So this earthquake in Fiordland was 7.6 big this is the biggest earthquake after 80 years. This earthquake had also made New Zealand move 30 cm closer to Australia. We were amazed when we heard that. Mr Campbell also told us that the plates had collided and the pacific plate was on top of the Australian plate and it was 30 degrees apart from each other. He said that the epicentre was by the resolution island.

Yesterday we made a Seismometer this is something that tells you how big a earthquake is. In my group it was Toreka, Seini-Mino and me. We had a little mistake doing this because we needed a real Earthquake happening but it was so much fun making it. You might want to look at some of my other posts and in there I will be telling you how to make a seismometer.

At the end Hamish Campbell told us that Joan Wiffen had died, "Ohhhh" we said after he had told us.  Joan Wiffen is a New Zealand Paleontologist she had discovered the first dinosaur fossil in New Zealand.

Thank you Diana-Grace and Hamish Campbell from the Te Papa Museum for letting us talk to you this was a wonderful opportunity to talk to you.  We hope we talk to you again. 

Here are some sights where it will tell you about Joan Wiffen:

1. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10581930