A crane sits beside the damaged Cranmer Courts building. The stone cladding of a gable end of the building has collapsed, exposing the wooden framework beneath. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Cranmer Courts, Montreal St".
On 4 September 2010, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Darfield, 40 kilometres west of Christchurch, New Zealand. The quake caused significant damage to land and buildings nearby, with damage extending to Christchurch city. On 22 February 2011, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, causing extensive and significant damage across the city and with the loss of 185 lives. Years on from these events, occasional large aftershocks continue to shake the region. Two main entomological collections were situated within close proximity to the 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes. The Lincoln University Entomology Research Collection, which is housed on the 5th floor of a 7 storey building, was 27.5 km from the 2010 Darfield earthquake epicentre. The Canterbury Museum Entomology Collection, which is housed in the basement of a multi-storeyed heritage building, was 10 km from the 2011 Christchurch earthquake epicentre. We discuss the impacts of the earthquakes on these collections, the causes of the damage to the specimens and facilities, and subsequent efforts that were made to prevent further damage in the event of future seismic events. We also discuss the wider need for preparedness against the risks posed by natural disasters and other catastrophic events.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The McKenzie & Willis building on Tuam Street. The building next door to it has suffered more damage from the 23 December 2011 earthquake".
A photograph of damaged buildings in Cashel Mall. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "91-93 Cashel Mall".
A view of Madras Street, looking north towards Latimer Square. Rubble from damaged buildings lines both sides of the street.
Damage to the former Sumner Borough Council building. The brickwork is badly cracked, and sections of the walls have collapsed.
Damaged wall panels on the west side of a building in Cathedral Square have been boarded up from the inside.
A damaged brick building. Walls on two sides of the upper storey have collapsed, but the roof is still standing.
A damaged brick building. Walls on two sides of the upper storey have collapsed, but the roof is still standing.
Damage to the Music Centre of Christchurch. Brickwork has fallen from the gable ends of the building, collapsing the entryway.
Damage to the Music Centre of Christchurch. Brickwork has fallen from the gable ends of the building, collapsing the entryway.
Damage to the Music Centre of Christchurch. Brickwork has fallen from the gable ends of the building, collapsing the entryway.
Damage to the former Sumner Borough Council building. The brickwork is badly cracked, and sections of the walls have collapsed.
A photograph of damaged buildings in Cashel Mall. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "91-93 Cashel Mall".
A photograph of damaged buildings in Cashel Mall. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "91-93 Cashel Mall".
A photograph of damaged buildings in Cashel Mall. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "91-93 Cashel Mall".
A photograph of part of Mike Hewson's installation 'Homage to the Lost Spaces' on the earthquake-damaged Cranmer Courts building.
A photograph of a damaged building on Victoria Street. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Behind the Knox Church".
A photograph of a damaged building on Victoria Street. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Behind the Knox Church".
A photograph of a damaged building on Victoria Street. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Behind the Knox Church".
A photograph of a damaged building on Victoria Street. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Behind the Knox Church".
A photograph of a damaged building on Victoria Street. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Behind the Knox Church".
Damage to a building on Lichfield Street. A large section of the side wall has collapsed into the alleyway below.
A damaged building on Lichfield Street. The brick facade has fallen from the upper storeys, exposing the wooden framing beneath.
A photograph of a damaged building on Victoria Street. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Behind the Knox Church".
A photograph of a damaged building on Victoria Street. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Behind the Knox Church".
The sign of the badly damaged Knox Presbyterian Church on the corner of Bealey Avenue and Victoria Street. The brickwork from the gable above has crumbled, exposing the inside of the building.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Winnie Bagoes building on Gloucester Street. Large sections of the building have collapsed, the bricks and other rubble spilling onto the ground in front.
A photograph of the Edgeware Law and South of the Border building on Colombo Street with a severely damaged top storey. Wire fencing has been placed around the building as a cordon.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Winnie Bagoes building on Gloucester Street. Large sections of the building have collapsed, the bricks and other rubble spilling onto the ground in front.