Christchurch, New Zealand is the country’s 2nd largest city and has a population of approximately 400,000 people. It is located on the South Island and is situated in an active seismic area between the Pacific and the Indo-Australian tectonic plates.
New Zealand Earthquake September 4, 2010
In September 2010, there was a 7.1 earthquake near Christchurch but it was deeper in the ground and resulted in less damage and no deaths. However, this earthquake made the structures weaker so there was extensive damage suffered in the recent February 22, 2011 tremor. In addition, the recent earthquake was much closer to Christchurch and this contributed to severe damage.
New Zealand Earthquake February 22, 2011
The epicenter of the New Zealand earthquake was only six miles southwest of the city of Christchurch and was at a depth of 2.5 miles. Shallow earthquakes, like this one, can cause more extensive damage than deeper earthquakes because of more vibration along the ground.
Christchurch is highly susceptible to earthquake damage due to sitting on a bed of gravel, sand and silt. During an earthquake, the groundwater rises and mixes with the sand. As a result, the ground becomes saturated with water and causes instability. It is not uncommon for sinkholes to gobble up roads or buildings or vehicles.
Damage Caused by the February 2011 New Zealand Earthquake
The earthquake struck just after noontime, when Christchurch was bustling with shoppers, daytime traffic and workers in their places of employment.
The Associated Press, in a February 22, 2011 news release, described the damage. “The quake destroyed the spire of the iconic stone Christchurch Cathedral, which toppled into a central city square, police said there was a report of two buses crushed under falling buildings. Multistory buildings collapsed in on themselves, and others with walls collapsed into the streets, strewn with bricks and shattered concrete.”
The pavement on the streets and sidewalks was cracked and split, which made it difficult for emergency vehicles to get through. Many people were wandering the streets after managing to escape from buildings. Fellow citizens helped pull out people who were trapped in buildings and many of the injured were treated on the street or carried away on makeshift stretchers made out of blankets or rugs or items of clothing.
Fox News described the situation in Christchurch in a February 22, 2011 report. “The multistory Pyne Gould Guinness Building, housing more than 200 workers, collapsed and people are trapped inside. Television pictures showed rescuers, many of them office workers, dragging severely injured people from the rubble. Many had blood streaming down their faces. Screams could be heard from those still trapped.”
Emergency personnel rescued trapped people in tall buildings by using fire truck extension ladders and platforms hooked up to cranes. Burst pipes flooded the streets and several fires broke out and utilities were out of service.
Military personnel were deployed to escort people out of the city centre and to guard against the pillaging of property. The hospital was temporarily evacuated for a safety inspection and then the patients were taken back inside.
In a February 22, 2011 report by Reuters, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told local TV, “We may well be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day...The death toll I have at the moment is 65 and that may rise.”
There have been at least nine strong aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 3.4 to 5.7.
Update to New Zealand Earthquake
In a February 24, 2011 report by CBC News, there has been an update to the 2011 New Zealand earthquake. "Police confirmed Thursday that 113 people had died and 228 were missing following Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude quake. Seventy 'live rescues' were reported. Officials noted that it's been more than 24-hours since someone was pulled from the wreckage alive".
Sources:
N.Z. Earthquake Death Toll Climbs to 113 . CBC World News.Published February 24, 2011.
Beckford, Gyles. Deadly Quake Rocks Christchurch, New Zealand. Reuters. Published February 21, 2011.
Scott, David Clark. New Zealand Earthquake Shuts Down Fights out of the Country. The Christian Science Monitor Global News Blog. Published February 21, 2011.
Multiple Deaths Reported After Major Quake Rocks New Zealand. Associated Press. Published February 22, 2011.
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