New Zealand Earthquake 2011

A powerful earthquake shook New Zealand on Tuesday afternoon, according to reports. The earthquake of magnitude 6.3, the USGS has rocked New Zealand's South Island and its largest city of Christchurch, at 12:50 local time.

The New Zealand Herald reported that the quake's epicenter was Lyttelton with a depth of 5 km, but felt as far away as Wellington and Dunedin Twitter reports. He shook the Canterbury region, which has a population of about 500,000. Radio New Zealand "that some people have lost their lives."

Radio New Zealand also noted some of the damage caused by the earthquake in Christchurch: a church collapsed bridge is impassable, the airport was closed and the mayor asking people not to drive due to road damage.

Laura Campbell submitted these photos of the damage in Christchurch. A local New Zealand news release issued this photo of damage to the historic Christchurch Cathedral Chirstchurch.