That would be the first thing that comes to mind.

But why does the dust rise? Why no dust in the surrounding suburbs? The large buildings are still standing also.

ChCh really was the localised epicentre of the quake, going off that photo. Is that normal to be so exact, so localised?

I've never experienced a quake, or ground shake, so I dont know anything about these occurances. I still wish this aweful event didnt happen to our Kiwi friends.