The Christchurch, New Zealand Earthquake February 2011 Map: Event: New Zealand Earthquake Tuesday 22nd February 2011 12.51pm local time Location 6 miles SE of Christchurch (South Island New Zealand) Hazards: Primary Magnitude 6.3 (Richter Scale) so a bit lower than Haiti 7.0 Magnitude Focus was only 5km deep Significant vertical movement which buildings could not survive Series of 6 aftershocks on the same day meant more damage to buildings Most severe shaking lasted 12 seconds Followed previous earthquake 7.1 (Richter Scale) September 2010 which had already weakened buildings Secondary Soil liquefaction in eastern suburbs Collapsed buildings which killed some and trapped other people Broken electricity and sewerage systems leading to disruption Fires in damaged buildings Impacts: Physical Significant soil liquefaction in eastern suburbs produced 400,000 tonnes silt causing Social 80% of water and sewerage system severely damaged and was without power 1200 treated for minor injuries, 220 major trauma cases
significant land slips and rockfalls Some bodies could not be identified Worry and upset about missing relatives, loss of homes Demographic 181 people killed (second deadliest natural disaster in New Zealand) over half in six storey Canterbury TV building which collapsed and caught fire From New Zealand but also Japan (in English Language school, Australian, UK..) Economic Cost of rebuilding NZ$20-30 billion Christchurch Cathedral lost its spire – major cost to repair Widespread damage across Christchurch especially central city and eastern suburbs so loss of trading Damage to already weakened buildings and infrastructure 45% of buildings inspected had restricted access because of damage Aftershock 13 June caused considerable additional damage so ongoing need to repair and replace buildings Tallest – Hotel Grand Chancellor reported on verge of collapse – has now been demolished Buildings built within last 30 years following earthquake codes performed well 10,000 houses in suburbs needed to be demolished and some land could not be built on following soil liquefaction 60% buildings in Lyttelton (epicentre) had widespread damage although no one killed Significant cost of all emergency services involved in help and managing impacts Responses: Short term Government Declared state of national emergency until 30th April 2011 Full emergency management structure within 2 hours National Crisis Management Centre in Wellington coordinated activity and locally from Christchurch Art Gallery (modern EQ proof building) Emergency services Christchurch police aided by staff from across country and 300 Australian police – organised evacuations, supported search and rescue teams, missing persons, family liaison, media briefings Fire Service coordinated search and rescue with teams from New Zealand, Australia, UK, USA, Japan, Taiwan, China, Singapore. Also responded to structural damage reports, fires, landslips … search and rescue from Australia arrived 12 hours after quake. Used sniffer dogs, infra red.. USA sent heavy rescue team with firefighters and paramedics and 26 tons prepackaged equipment Long term Several sport events set up to raise money for victims Red Cross coordinating help using donated money eg handed out grants to help people eg winter assistance for households with children under 5 help for over 65 with fuel bills Help for children travelling long distances to replacement schools Grants to bereaved or vulnerable people Welfare centres still in operation where needed Long term plan to rebuild Christchurch eg compact CBD with low rise buildings, new areas of parkland, upgraded