Christchurch earthquake Case study

Where did the Christchurch earthquake happen?

New Zealand lies on the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the Australian Plate. The movement of the plates means within the north a destructive boundary/subduction zone runs through the areas labeled Hikurangi Trough and Tonga-Kermadec Trench. On South Island, on the brink of Christchurch, the 2 plates move in parallel to every other creating a conservative boundary.

There is some DISPUTE over the earthquake.  New Zealand’s GNS Science has called the February 2011 event an “aftershock” of the earlier September earthquake. Others have said it is a spate event on a separate fault system.

Regardless, the earthquake was created along a conservative plate margin where the Pacific Plate slid past the Australian Plate in the opposite direction. The earthquake occurred on a fault running off this major plate boundary.  It was a strike-slip event along the fault, mostly horizontal movement with some vertical movement upwards.

The earthquake generated its significant aftershocks,

• 2 hours after the main earthquake – Largest aftershock of magnitude 5.9.
• The first-week post-event – 361+ aftershocks (magnitude 3+ foreshocks) in the first week,
• 16th April – a 5.3-magnitude aftershock caused further damage, including power cuts and several large rock falls.
• 13th June – a series of aftershocks occurred. A tremor of 5.7 was followed by a 6.3 tremor just over an hour later, with a depth of 6 km, located 10 km east of the city. Power was cut to around 54,000 homes, with further damage, casualties, and liquefaction in already weakened areas.

Causes of Christchurch earthquake:

The location of the Christchurch earthquake is 10 km west of Christchurch. It occurred on the south island of New Zealand. It was noticed on 22nd February 2011 at 12.51 pm that lasted for just 10 sec. It was a very shallow earthquake that occurred 4.99 km deep and measured 4.9 on the Richter scale. The earthquake occurred on a conservative plate margin where the Pacific Plate slid past the Australian Plate in the opposite direction.  It was technically an aftershock from a larger earthquake in 2010 but the impacts were more severe.

Effects of Christchurch earthquake:

The primary effects consist of:

• Many roads and buildings were destroyed due to liquefaction.
• The second city of New Zealand, i.e. Christchurch experienced high damage.
• The collapse of the cathedral spire.
• Death of approx 185 people.
• Damage to water and sewage pipes.
• 3129 people were injured.
• It causes damage to approx $28 billion.
• Minor injuries caused to approx 6800 people.
• There was damage to 100000 properties and demolish 10000 by the earthquake.
• 50% + of Central City buildings severely damaged including the city’s cathedral which lost its spire.
• 80% of the city was without electricity
• Part (size of 20 football fields) of the country’s longest glacier was broken off creating a large iceberg

The secondary effects consist of:

• In a post-event survey, 80% of respondents stated that their lives had changed significantly because of the earthquake.
• 2200 people were forced to live in temporary houses.
• Economists predicted that New Zealand’s economy will be recovered almost after 50 to 100 years.
• Five Rugby World Cup matches were canceled
• Two large aftershocks struck Christchurch less than 4 months after the city was devastated
• Shut down of the schools for two weeks
• Shut down of most of the businesses for a long time
• 1/5 of the population migrated from the city
• People were affected mentally by the earthquakes and the needed support.
• Damage to roads through liquefaction made it difficult for people and emergency services to move around.

Immediate responses to the Christchurch earthquake:

• Chemical toilets were offered to 30,000 residents.
• Around $6-7 million of international aid was provided
• Over 300 police officers were landed in Christchurch after the three days of the earthquake. They joined with NZ police powers and worked with them enforcing law and order and comforting the people of Christchurch.
• Aid workers were supplied by the red cross and other charities.
• Support was provided by the rescue team from all over the world such as Australia, Taiwan, the USA, UK.
• Cared for the most vulnerable people and ensured people were safe from dangerous buildings.
• Areas were zoned (green, orange, white, red) to classify damage/cost of repairs.

Long term responses to the Christchurch earthquake:

• To rebuild the region, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority was formed.
• Almost, 10000 affordable homes were constructed.
• Support was given by many NGOs such as Save the Children.
• Restoration of water and sewage was done by August 2011.
• The New Zealand government has provided temporary housing.
• Paid $898 million in building claims.

Development:

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