Monday afternoon New Zealand time, a severe earthquake hit the North Island of New Zealand, with its center in the Palmerston North area. The 6.3 (or 6.2, according to some reports) magnitude earthquake caused damage to roads and buildings, creating rockfalls and bringing down chimneys and power lines. The quake was felt in Wellington, where one of the giant eagles displayed at the airport, to promote The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, became detached from the ceiling. You can read a full report of the quake, and the extent of the damage which is known so far, here. Fortunately it seems that no one was seriously hurt. We are thinking of all our friends in New Zealand and hoping that all are ok! [New Zealand Herald report]