http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/09/03/new.zealand.quake/?hpt=T1
Not very devastating, but full of lessons (winter, night, etc).

I live in potential earthquake country (PNW). Looking at pictures 2 and 7 from the above link confirms why I never park next to or close to buildings if I have the choice to park further away. You may survive an earthquake only to find that your transportation home or evac is useless...

From the photos it looks like the power is still on. If so thats great news for cleanup crews and those relying on electric heat. Amazing how those unreinforced masonry buildings crumble so easily.

Watching various videos online, I'm surprised that there are so many apparently unreinforced masonry buildings in downtown Christchurch. It's a seismically active region, after all. One might argue that the TV news focuses on the damaged areas, but even from a news helicopter, it's obvious that there are many, many buildings in the downtown area where the chimneys and facades have crumbled.

Anyway, definitely a reminder of why you should NOT try to run outside during an earthquake, or conversely, run into a building. When the shaking starts, if you're inside, stay inside and take cover, and if you're outside, stay clear of things that might topple onto you.

The Kiwis seem to be taking it in stride, though.