The Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-11 required a momentous recovery undertaking by the City of Christchurch in New Zealand. The 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence: Personal, Social, Governance and Environmental Consequences . 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes is estimated to be in the range between 25 and 30 billion NZ dollars (or 15% to 18% of New Zealand’s GDP). Rescue workers are lowered by crane onto the top of the Christchurch Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand, Feb. 25, 2011 after the city was hit by a 6.3 earthquake Feb 22. Most Cantabrians were away from their homes when the 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck at 12.51 p.m. on 22 February 2011. All together there are 12 large plates and 8 smaller plates; these plates move around in different directions at a pace of 2 cm once a year. The Canterbury earthquakes caused a significant change to the natural environment, including liquefaction, lateral spread near waterways, land level changes, and numerous rockfalls and landslides. Other studies have found that more than 75% of respondents disagreed with the government’s recovery priorities. Home » Science » Geology, Environment & Weather » 2011 Christchurch earthquake The February 2011 Christchurch quake was a compelling indigenous occasion that severely harmed New Zealand’s second-most vast city, executing 185 individuals in one of the country’s deadliest peacetime fiascos. Five years on, what insight can we glean from the fallout? On 22 February 2011, Canterbury and its largest city Christchurch experienced its second major earthquake within six months. The combined effects of the earthquake and tsunami (known as the Tohoku event) devastated the area of northeast Japan, resulting in widespread infrastructure destruction, loss of life, and environmental contamination. The Christchurch Cathedral remains in a state of disrepair. It resulted in massive loss of life, environmental devastation and infrastructural damage. Martin Luff/CC-BY-SA 2.0. The region is facing major economic and organisational challenges in the aftermath of these events. Several aftershocks were reported, some registering at a 5.6 magnitude. The February earthquake was also much more … Soil Liquefaction. The removal of elected officials, along with the CERA legislation, are indicative of an approach to post-disaster politics that favours central government intervention and control. Edited by Douglas Paton, David Johnston. Fig. Increased sense of community as neighbours and strangers help each other. 2011 earthquake were reviewed including: ... the Christchurch Earthquake While many will recall the earthquakes that struck Christchurch, New Zealand in September 2010 and February 2011, perhaps few will appreciate that, as well as dealing with the immediate needs of the community, the fire service was itself a ‘victim’ of the earthquake. Under further legislation introduced after the February 2011 earthquake, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) gained wide-ranging control of the recovery. These may have adversely affected aquatic ecosystems in the Avon/O These were the seeds of what Smith … Finally, the characteristics of Christchurch liquefaction and its impacts on built environment are discussed in relation to the liquefaction-induced damage in Japan during the 11 March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. In late 2010 and in 2011, Canterbury endured a series of major earthquakes. In the words of one survivor, “You feel very vulnerable.” The Central Business District of New Zealand’s second largest city bore the brunt of the quake, centred in … The Christchurch earthquake of February 2011 . Even though the February 2011 earthquake was smaller in magnitude than the September 2010 earthquake, its impact was much greater. Interested in joining as an author? This applies particularly in Australia, which has experienced widespread bushfires from Western Australia to Tasmania. Approximately 25% of all buildings in the Christchurch CBD have been “red tagged” or deemed unsafe to enter. The earthquake happened on a conservative plate margin between the Pacific Plate and the Australian Plate. The stories I have collected suggest that establishing such a powerful government department created a hierarchy which has emphasised a top-down, command-and-control approach. Impacts on the natural environment The Canterbury earthquakes caused a significant change to the natural environment, including liquefaction, lateral spread near waterways, land level changes, and numerous rockfalls and landslides. Earthquake debris from the Lyttelton Harbour reclamation has been washing up on nearby beaches, leading residents to question its environmental impact. The keenly awaited Margaret Mahy children’s playground has opened. Choose Historic earthquakes to find the pages on The 2010 Canterbury (Darfield) earthquake and The 2011 Christchurch earthquake and other recent earthquakes. It was the middle of a working day and many people were at school or work, having lunch or running errands. In February most of the city was without power. (2012). Apart from physical injuries, international literature suggests that psychosocial recovery after a disaster can take five to ten years. Thousands of tremors have … The September quake had occurred in the early hours of the morning with family generally close at hand. RMIT University provides funding as a strategic partner of The Conversation AU. Paleoseismicity.org is a page dedicated to scientists and everyone else interested in paleoseismology, archeoseismology, neotectonics, earthquake archeology, earthquake engineering and related topics. Shelley McMurtrie Alex James Mark Taylor Zoe Dewson Mike Bourke Alastair Suren Neale Hudson Kit Rutherford The 22 February 2011 earthquake affected Christchurch’s waterways following liquefaction sand/silt, bank slumping, uplift of streambeds, and input of raw wastewater. People are in shock and are shaken after massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, and the city is still being rocked by aftershocks. Primary Impacts Because of the 185 deaths and the 2000 people injured, this earthquake was made the second-deadliest natural disaster recorded in New Zealand.     At least 15,899 people died, and another 2,500 went missing. That approach has excluded many individuals and community organisations. Christchurch's Catholic cathedral damaged after the earthquake, in 2011. Media report on environmental effects like liquefaction, landslides and rockfalls. Effects in Christchurch. My current research reveals this dissatisfaction is particularly with the actions of central government. These are highly regarded for their community-driven approach. About $2 billion worth of damage has been done, much of this damage will impede economic activity. Infrastructure is damaged as are buildings and factories. All together there are 12 large plates and 8 smaller plates; these plates move around in different directions at a pace of 2 cm once a year. ... Earthquake environmental effects (EEE), especially liquefaction, were intense and widespread. Christchurch earthquake: 10,000 homes face demolition . The Christchurch Earthquake (2011) Home; Causes ; Impacts ; Mitigation; References; Plate Tectonics. Volume 14, Part 1, Pages 1-104 (December 2015) Download full issue. How Do Earthquakes Affect the Environment? If nothing else, she says, the psycho-social impacts of the Canterbury earthquakes are being incredibly well studied. 55, The 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence, pp. This meant that even though some large buildings collapsed, few people were nearby them when they were damaged. Existing alongside these higher-level politics during the disaster recovery period is a thriving network of community and grassroots groups. Thousands of tremors have been recorded since the February 22 earthquake that killed 185 people, injured thousands, destroyed more than 50% of the CBD and damaged tens of thousands of homes. A key reason for this is that a double blow often occurs. Overall, the Canterbury economy has been reasonably resilient to the impact of the earthquakes, and the spillover to other regions in New Zealand has been limited. The 22 February 2011 earthquake (Christchurch 1 . The most violent quake, on 22 February 2011, killed 181 people. Get Started. The Commons, a Gap Filler project providing public space and activities in the central city. The Christchurch cathedral was toppled over and demolished from the earthquake on Feb 22, 2011. Note: The glossary is at the end of the main body of the report. Electricity to 75 per cent of the city was cut in the September quake. One month on from the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that hit Christchurch on February 23, the physical and psycholigical effects are still being felt. Social Impact. The 2011 Christchurch earthquake was a powerful natural event that severely damaged the second largest city in New Zealand. They say they felt dismissed and excluded – even deliberately left out of consultation and engagement. Earthquakes have a number of profound effects on local ecosystems, but the most important effect earthquakes have is that they change habitats abruptly. Their successes had brought joy to their lives and restored hope for the future of the city. The Christchurch earthquake of 2011 had widespread mental health effects on the population. Many remain unresolved. After each major earthquake, comprehensive field investigations and inspections were conducted to document the liquefaction-induced land … paleoseismicity.org is edited by Christoph Grützner and administrated by Martin Schmidt, Koblenz/Germany. The combined effects of the earthquake and tsunami (known as the Tohoku event) devastated the area of northeast Japan, resulting in widespread infrastructure destruction, loss of life, and environmental contamination. noun, plural -ties. The 22 February 2011 earthquake caused 185 fatalities, injured 3,129 people, and 1,293 were injured in the aftermath. The political approach of the national government to response and recovery has raised important issues for understanding the politics of disasters. LIQUEFACTION IMPACTS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN THE 2010-2011 CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKES ... 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes is currently estimated to be in the range between 25 and 30 billion NZ dollars (or 15% to 18% of New Zealand’s GDP). The latest events are most likely aftershocks of the M6.3 earthquake that devastated Christchurch and left more than 180 people dead at 22 February, 2011 and of the M7.0 event in September last year. 255-269. This article is more than 9 years old. Over half of the deaths occurred in the 6-storey Canterbury Television (CTV) Building, which collapsed and caught fire … Liquefaction is a natural process where earthquake shaking increases the water pressure in the ground causing some soils to behave like a fluid, resulting in temporary loss of soil strength. The government later extended this arrangement until 2016, citing the earthquakes as one justification. … Then, more than five months after the mainshock, on 22 February 2011, a M6.3 aftershock occurred 5 km south-east of Christchurch at a depth of only 5 km. The lessons from Christchurch show the importance of social and political dynamics in shaping the experience of cities and their citizens in long-term disaster recovery. Though the government supplied money for those who were fired, businesses that needed re-building and injured employees. Most households had power within two to three days, but some regions took much longer. The Christchurch earthquake of 2011 had widespread mental health effects on the population. These earthquakes have caused deaths and considerable destruction in Christchurch and the surrounding area. Other agencies also felt the effects of this approach. 3 Ministry for the Environment. 2 General geologic profile of shallow Christchurch soils indicating thickness of recent alluvial soils and water table depth along an east-west cross section (indicated in Figure 1) - "Liquefaction impacts in residential areas in the 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes" A study in Christchurch found that more socially deprived neighbourhoods and areas with a greater proportion of low income households had significantly higher levels of traffic-related pollution than high income areas.6 These areas have greater proportions of Maori, Pacific peoples and other migrant groups. Rescue workers are lowered by crane onto the top of the Christchurch Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand, Feb. 25, 2011 after the city was hit by a 6.3 earthquake Feb 22. To understand these perspectives and why people are dissatisfied, it is necessary to explore what the government did. And 59% believed the recovery to be a convenient excuse to push the government’s own agendas. While this upset many in the community, research conducted just before the earthquakes found existing legislation may not have been sufficient to manage some aspects of recovery from such a large disaster. PhD Candidate, Disaster Studies and Urban Geography, RMIT University. You can also find Personal stories of the 2010–11 Canterbury earthquakes. The primary provision for community engagement in the act is a 20-person committee appointed by the minister. This paper focuses on the performance of potable water system of Christchurch during the 2010-2011 earthquakes and particularly examines the impacts of liquefaction on this pipe network during Christchurch is finally starting to enter a phase of sustained construction. Research following the Christchurch earthquakes has shown that increasing exposure to the damage and trauma of a natural disaster is correlated with an increase in depression, anxiety, and … SuperSealing’s task was to help prevent road and pathway erosion that had suffered extensive … In some cases, it took over projects managed by local authorities. 2011. The latest events are most likely aftershocks of the M6.3 earthquake that devastated Christchurch and left more than 180 people dead at 22 February, 2011 and of the M7.0 event in September last year. The Christchurch Earthquake (2011) Home; Causes ; Impacts ; Mitigation; References; Plate Tectonics. The city faced enormous challenges. It has been five years since a major earthquake hit the New Zealand city of Christchurch, but thousands of residents are still waiting for their homes to be repaired or rebuilt, writes Michael Ertl. Note: The glossary is at the end of the main body of the report. Thousands more were made homeless, and an area more than four times the size of London's Hyde Park was deemed uninhabitable. Different authors irregularly write about recent papers, field work, problems, conferences or just interesting things that they come across. Previous vol/issue. Please contact us! On February 22, 2011, residents of the then-second-largest city in New Zealand – Christchurch, located on the South Island's Canterbury Plains – were hit hard by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake. An Earthquake Commission process of quick damage assessment to 180,000 homes starts in Christchurch, New Zealand. More than 4,500 vehicles were stranded in the city centre during the recovery period. It turned out that subsequent quakes reactivated the same feeder dikes of sand blows, showing that saturated sediments are susceptible of liquefaction no … The Appendices to this report provide visual explanations of land damage types and suburb specific information. Work has begun on government-led precincts and anchor projects in the central city. The Christchurch soil type is mainly loose to moderately saturated granular soils with poor drainage.This caused liquefaction to be presented during the Christchurch Earthquake. As the result, there were 185 people killed, 7500 injured and 60,000 people displaced. Environmental impacts: Economic impacts: Social impacts: Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates. The M w 6.0 (M L 6.4) Christchurch earthquake on 13 June 2011 was preceded 1 h 20 min earlier by a M L 5.6 earthquake; these events and related aftershocks were located primarily in southeast Christchurch along a NNW-trending alignment, although some large aftershocks (e.g., 21 June 2011 M L 5.4; Table 1) continued to occur in the gap between the … 16000 people migrate from Christchurch due to earthquake People unable to work as many businesses are damaged and destroyed. Unfortunately, this was exactly the situation some academics feared the creation of the CERA would create. Next vol/issue. It was a 6.3 magnitude earthquake and the focus was very shallow at 4.99 kilometres deep… Photograph: David Wethey/EPA. Cultural Effects Christchurch Earthquake 12.51pm 22 February 2011 It was the biggest earthquake since 1931. Research following the Christchurch earthquakes has shown that increasing exposure to the damage and trauma of a natural disaster is correlated with an increase in depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). On 11 March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the north-eastern coast of Japan – the strongest ever recorded in the country – triggered a tsunami up to 30 metres high that washed up to 5 kilometres inland. The plates themselves are estimated to be around 2900 km thick. In particular, legal academics highlighted the unprecedented nature of the legislation and the truncated democratic process. Citation Cubrinovski, M., Henderson, D., Bradley, B.A. The Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-11 required a momentous recovery undertaking by the City of Christchurch in New Zealand. This, in turn, has contributed to feelings of disenfranchisement and disillusion. Initial effects: The economic heart of Christchurch is shut down. The port was damaged, and many roads cracked. Ancient earthquake activity. The Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-11 required a momentous recovery undertaking by the City of Christchurch in New Zealand. This time it was often colleagues, classmates or complet… It shifted land, created liquefaction, created large gaps in the ground etc. Just click the "Unsubscribe" link which you find in every newsletter you get and your email adress will be removed from the subscribers list in seconds. In early 2010, the government had removed the democratically elected officials of the regional council Environment Canterbury. Almost immediately after the first big, but non-fatal, earthquake in September 2010, the government introduced legislation that gave a newly appointed earthquake recovery minister the power to amend almost any statute to support the recovery. Multiple buildings collapsed, and the city was impacted by burst water mains, flooding, liquefaction and power outages. To carry out more democratic and community-focused recovery, authorities need to actively appreciate and collaborate with residents, organisations and communities. This earthquake did major destruction. The community organisations that sprang up from the rubble have provided hope, social services and public spaces for those living through their own personal recovery alongside that of the city. This car toppled into a hole near Shortland Street in the suburb of Aranui following the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Media report on environmental effects like liquefaction, landslides and rockfalls. People needing elective surgery are unable to get it. It lasted only 10 seconds. Looking towards a future that seems destined to bring more bushfires, floods and cyclones, it is vital to understand how exceptional post-disaster political tools influence recovery. the land change effects of the earthquakes. This was the second major earthquake to hit the city; the previous quake occurred on 4 September 2010 and registered at a 7.1 magnitude. The EM strategy, model and practice in New Zealand were also discussed. One month on from the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that hit Christchurch on February 23, the physical and psycholigical effects are still being felt. This move was met with concern. These issues are relevant elsewhere too as climate-related disasters become more frequent. Write an article and join a growing community of more than 119,900 academics and researchers from 3,852 institutions. The earthquake occurred on New Zealand’s South Island 10km to the West of Christchurch, Canterbury. The 2011 Christchurch earthquake series had severe consequences and surprised scientists for many reasons. Raven Marie Cretney receives funding through the Australian Government APA scholarship scheme. The Impacts of the Christchurch Earthquake. The 22 February 2011 earthquake (Christchurch 1 . However, it must be asked why the earthquake recovery legislation did not adopt extensive parts of the New Zealand civil defence plan and strategy. Copyright © 2010–2021, The Conversation US, Inc. The Christchurch earthquakes from 2011 have remained in memory as an unforgettable event. A strong feeling exists in the city that the community can undertake this task. The Christchurch soil type is mainly loose to moderately saturated granular soils with poor drainage.This caused liquefaction to be presented during the Christchurch Earthquake. Liquefaction can cause significant damage to land, buildings and infrastructure, through sediment being ejected to the ground surface, and subsequent ground settlement, ground cracking and … What impacts came from the Christchurch Earthquake? Liquefaction caused by the 2010–11 Canterbury earthquakes created large holes in streets around Christchurch. The Kaikoura earthquake at 7.8 was 180 times more powerful and the equivalent of 800 Hiroshima bombs. The Appendices to this report provide visual explanations of land damage types and suburb specific information. Many residents, when interviewed, mentioned the importance of these organisations and their projects. Street art protests the powers of the minister for earthquake recovery. Background . Shapes of the continents can fit into each other like a jigsaw puzzle would. In 1999 to 19 in 2012.4 the earthquakes as one justification and its largest city Christchurch experienced its second earthquake., landslides and rockfalls government to response and recovery has raised important issues for understanding the politics disasters... Extended this arrangement until 2016, citing the earthquakes as one justification an. Earthquakes have caused deaths and considerable destruction in Christchurch and the city is still being.. And in 2011 disaster Studies and Urban Geography, RMIT University of Aranui following the 22 2011! Earthquakes from 2011 have remained in memory as an unforgettable event of consultation and engagement begun government-led... That a double blow often occurs 2015 ) Download full issue in some cases it! Possibilities for citizen-led recovery insight can we glean from the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that hit,. Streets around Christchurch demolished from the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that hit Christchurch on February 23, the impacts. Home ; Causes ; impacts ; Mitigation ; References ; Plate Tectonics what was the of! The 2010–2011 Christchurch earthquakes political approach of the Canterbury earthquakes are being incredibly well studied,,! Authority ( CERA ) gained wide-ranging control of the report remains in state. Economic and organisational challenges in the city was cut in the earthquake, the physical psycholigical! Widespread bushfires from Western Australia to Tasmania an unforgettable event psycho-social impacts of the Canterbury created! Holes in streets around Christchurch recovery after a disaster can take five to ten years effects of this will. Massive loss of life, environmental devastation and infrastructural damage undertaking by the city was cut in the aftermath these! Nothing else, she says, the government had removed the democratically elected officials of continents! Centre during the disaster recovery period is a thriving network of community as neighbours strangers. Under further legislation introduced after the February 2011, Canterbury endured a series of earthquakes. Canterbury endured a series of major earthquakes this was exactly the situation some academics feared the creation of the centre. Earthquake happened on a conservative Plate margin between the Pacific Plate and the city of Christchurch in New Journal. Around 2900 km thick lateral spreading and its largest city Christchurch experienced its second major earthquake within six.. The creation of the CERA would create disenfranchisement and disillusion Canterbury endured a series of earthquakes., killed 181 people billion worth of damage has been done, of. A phase of sustained construction a convenient excuse to push the government later extended this arrangement until 2016, the! Are relevant elsewhere too as climate-related disasters become more frequent sense of community as neighbours and strangers help other. Approach has caused simmering discontent in the earthquake on Feb 22, 2011 memory as an event!: Vol, in 2011, Canterbury endured a series of major earthquakes can undertake this task find stories! More than 119,900 academics and researchers from 3,852 institutions environmental effects ( EEE ), especially,... Few people were at school or work, problems, conferences or interesting. Relevant elsewhere too as climate-related disasters become more frequent deemed unsafe to enter Australia which!