As the song says, dust in the wind
Christchurch was built largely on reclaimed swampland, on an alluvial plain. What this means is that, in an earthquake, the ground basically turns to quicksand. Water was forced up through whatever cracks it could find or make, causing fairly large-scale flooding, and when it drained it left behind silt in deposits commonly referred to as sand volcanoes:
Friday there was rain, but other than that the weather has been largely warm and dry. This means that much of the deposited silt has dried to a fine dust that clogs the air. In my part of town it's not advisable to walk around outside without a face mask on.
The weather forecast is predicting a Nor'wester, which means big dust clouds and possible wind damage to weakened buildings.
For anyone following the "I hope they go to jail for a long time - with a cellmate." debacle, I did get a reply from the Minister. It's...somewhat lacking: "I have never made any such suggestion around sexual abuse and I am frankly appalled that anyone would seek to accuse me of it." (Several other people have received the same word-for-word statement.)
Asked if she was saying the NZ Herald misquoted her. Am awaiting further reply.
Friday there was rain, but other than that the weather has been largely warm and dry. This means that much of the deposited silt has dried to a fine dust that clogs the air. In my part of town it's not advisable to walk around outside without a face mask on.
The weather forecast is predicting a Nor'wester, which means big dust clouds and possible wind damage to weakened buildings.
For anyone following the "I hope they go to jail for a long time - with a cellmate." debacle, I did get a reply from the Minister. It's...somewhat lacking: "I have never made any such suggestion around sexual abuse and I am frankly appalled that anyone would seek to accuse me of it." (Several other people have received the same word-for-word statement.)
Asked if she was saying the NZ Herald misquoted her. Am awaiting further reply.