Christchurch, New Zealand – Residents of New Zealand’s South Island were violently awakened early Saturday morning by a massive 7.4-magnitude earthquake.nDamage reports are just now beginning to come in from the temblor that struck at 4:35 a.m. local time and was centered near Darfield, 18 miles west of the island’s largest city, Christchurch. No damage reports have yet been received from the Canterbury Region’s largest ski resort, Mt. Hutt, or the club ski fields of Rainbow, Hanmer Springs, Craigieburn, Porters Heights, Temple Basin, Broken River, Mt. Cheeseman and Mt. Olympus.

Reports starting to filter in from Christchurch, however, indicate numerous buildings collapsing into the streets and blocking thoroughfares. Power outages are reported as well, and officials fear damage to the city’s water and sewage infrastructure.

Numerous people have presented to Christchurch Hospital with what are thus far only minor injuries. The Christchurch airport remains closed this morning while officials survey the damage. Aftershocks continue in the area, but devastating tsunamis are not expected.

The quake was reported by skiers and riders as far away as Queentown and Lake Wanaka, who reported being jostled from their beds by the tremors.

First Tracks!! Online Media will report further as additional information becomes available.