Track the aftershocks rattling Christchurch in the wake of the shallow magnitude 6.3 earthquake.

Information about what's been damaged in the aftermath of the magnitude 6.3 earthquake and where people can get help.

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Blue markers: Damage to infrastructure and buildings

Red markers: Closures and restricted areas

Yellow markers: Triage centre and welfare centre locations

Green markers: Water supplies and other services for residents

Purple markers: Operational ATMs and petrol stations

Pink markers: Supermarkets and schools that are open

Rescuers have recovered and identified 55 bodies and are yet to identify a further 20 bodies from yesterday's earthquake in Christchurch.

The Government has declared a national state of emergency after yesterday's 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says emergency cash grants will be made available for victims of yesterday's quake.

Cabinet will hold an emergency meeting at 9.30am to decide whether to declare a national state of emergency, Prime Minister John Key says.

Rescue workers are having to leave bodies in the streets of Christchurch as they focus on trying to save survivors of yesterday's devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake.

Five World Cup games and two quarterfinals scheduled for Christchurch are in jeopardy after yesterday's big quake.

Hundreds of displaced people flocked to the Burnside High School evacuation centre last night to take shelter.

Prime Minister John Key flew into Christchurch to what he says were scenes from a horror movie.

North Island hospitals are receiving Christchurch earthquake victims and plan to send specialists to help in the devastated city.

When the shaking begins, my first thought is "it's just another aftershock". There have been plenty in Christchurch since the big quake.

The earthquake that struck Christchurch during lunch hour yesterday was an aftershock seismologists hoped would never come.

Herald reporter Fran O'Sullivan is in Christchurch for the United States-New Zealand Partnership Forum and was having lunch in the CBD with delegates at the time of the quake.

The Christchurch earthquake death toll already ranks among the highest in New Zealand disaster history.