Gone in 7.7 seconds

© Ann Coates

Gone in 7.7 seconds

Uploaded: August 05, 2012 00:04:33

Description

Today the Radio Network building which housed Newstalk ZB was brought down in a controlled explosion due to earthquake damage it suffered in the February 2011 earthquakes and subsequent earthquakes and aftershocks. This has never before been done in New Zealand. The authorities urged people to stay away but of course that's like a red rag to a bull and thousands of us turned up with our cameras to witness this amazing event. The noise of the explosives going off was phenomenal, and then shortly followed by the building crashing to the ground in less than 8 seconds and the massive dust cloud that followed. The crowd was exhilarated, as was I, my heart was thumping from the noise of the explosives and the sight that unfolded before my eyes. The Government is to buy out 850 building owners in the central city to make way for the new city blueprint and as well as the buildings which have already been demolished, this will mean that

Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: -0.67, ExposureTime: 1/500 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 1600, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 70.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 7D

Comments

Ann Coates level-classic August 05, 2012

70% of the buildings in the central city will have been demolished. The new city blueprint looks exciting, lots of green spaces with lots of new fabulous facilities. Of course we have to stump up with the money to pay for it, hmmmmm! #1478750

Tiia Vissak August 05, 2012

a cool capture! #10263137

Renee Doyle August 05, 2012

70% !!!!! Wow ... that's incredible Ann! Great capture of this moment in Christchurch's history. #10263158

Gord MacEachern August 05, 2012

Thats one amazing image and info Ann!!
A very unique capture, actually like the throng of folks in the foreground, with their cell phones and cameras. #10263188

Carolyn J. Connolly August 05, 2012

What an amazing moment in history you captured here, Ann - WOW, that must have been quite a thrill!! I agree with Gord, too - you really have captured an unique image here!! "The throng of folks in the foreground, with their cell phones and cameras" totally adds to the drama!! :-) #10263194

Antonio Amen August 05, 2012

Nice shot, well done. #10263298

Mary K. Robison August 05, 2012

Is't it crazy? Something that took months to build can be deliberately brought down in less than 10 sections? You captured it perfectly,Ann. The man in the white suit actually contributes to the "look at that!" feel of the scene. #10263453

Jack Gaskin August 05, 2012

Amazing how fast they come down.
BEST OF LUCK w/all that rebuilding.

JAck #10263487

Husain Akhtar August 05, 2012

Excellent capture and commentary! #10263822

John Connolly August 05, 2012

Thanks for the earthquake update Ann! This is a very graphic capture of history in the making, your did well with this one! #10263910

Michelle Alton August 05, 2012

Astonishing photography, Ann. I saw this on TV this morning. #10263961

Terry Cervi level-deluxe August 05, 2012

What a moment that must have been, Ann. What a super shot of the event! #10264277

August 17, 2012

I saw this one on the news over here. One thing, the new look city will give you lots of photo opportunities. Good work. #10280401

Stefania Barbier level-classic September 24, 2012

congratulations on your fantastic finalist!!! #10336687

Terry Cervi level-deluxe September 24, 2012

Congrats on this fantastic finalist, Ann! #10336939

Michelle Alton September 24, 2012

Photojournalism at its absolute best, Ann. Big Congratulations! #10337467

Patrick Rouzes level-classic September 24, 2012

Agree with Michelle! CONGRATS & good luck, Ann!
#10337593

JO ANN CLEVELAND September 24, 2012

WOWWWWW!

Congratulations on this fantastic finalist Ann!

jo ann c. #10338318

Ujjwal Mukherjee September 25, 2012

Great capture and finalist! Congrats again,Ann!! #10339473

Mary K. Robison September 25, 2012

A well deserved Finalist, Ann!
Congratulations to you!
#10339500

Gord MacEachern September 25, 2012

Big congrats on your well deserved finalists Ann, goog luck!! #10339525

Ellen Hodges September 25, 2012

Best luck on your finalists, Ann!!! Stunning capture!! #10339700

Ellen Hodges September 25, 2012

Best luck on your finalists, Ann!!! Stunning capture!! #10339701

Connie J. Bagot September 25, 2012

Amazing capture of this event---congratulations Ann! #10340109

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer September 25, 2012

Ann, this is amazing. Fantastic journalistic capture - at just the right moment. Congratulations on another great finalist. #10340111

Avril Young September 26, 2012

outstanding finalist...Stunning! #10341864

Christine Lobsinger level-classic September 26, 2012

WOW ANN...
A perfect capture- amazing story and awesome perspective!
Simply 'spot on'-
Congrats to you on this!!!!
Smiling CHRIS #10342033

Amy M. Wilson October 02, 2012

Congratulations on your excellent Finalist, Ann!! #10352190

Barbara Mason October 09, 2012

Congratulations Ann on your super Finalist image !!
Looking forward to the day buildings start going up instead of coming down - a slow process b.w. Barbara #10362414

Merna L. Nobile October 18, 2012

I heard the good news…and could not be happier for you! CONGRATULATIONS, Merna #10375452

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