When the 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch at 12.51pm
on Tuesday it tore the city apart.
Centred at Lyttelton, 10kms southeast of Christchurch,
Tuesday's earthquake was smaller than the 7.1 quake that first
shook Canterbury in September last year but it was shallower -
striking just 5kms below the surface - and it's destructive force
far more powerful.
The luck Cantabrians had on their side in September - there were
no fatalities - seems in short supply this time round.
The number of people confirmed dead has been inching up as the
days pass and hundreds are still missing.
Buildings, such as the iconic Christchurch Cathedral and
Catholic Church of Blessed Sacrement - which is pictured here -
stood strong in September but this time have crumbled to the
ground.