Paul Nicholls from Digital Media Group DMG with his creation Christchurch earthquake Map. Website: www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz.
On 4 September 2010, a magnitude Mw 7.1 earthquake struck the Canterbury region on the South Island of New Zealand. The epicentre of the earthquake was located in the Darfield area about 40 km west of the city of Christchurch. Extensive damage occurred to unreinforced masonry buildings throughout the region during the mainshock and subsequent large aftershocks. Particularly extensive damage was inflicted to lifelines and residential houses due to widespread liquefaction and lateral spreading in areas close to major streams, rivers and wetlands throughout Christchurch and Kaiapoi. Despite the severe damage to infrastructure and residential houses, fortunately, no deaths occurred and only two injuries were reported in this earthquake. From an engineering viewpoint, one may argue that the most significant aspects of the 2010 Darfield Earthquake were geotechnical in nature, with liquefaction and lateral spreading being the principal culprits for the inflicted damage. Following the earthquake, a geotechnical reconnaissance was conducted over a period of six days (10–15 September 2010) by a team of geotechnical/earthquake engineers and geologists from New Zealand and USA (GEER team: Geo-engineering Extreme Event Reconnaissance). JGS (Japanese Geotechnical Society) members from Japan also participated in the reconnaissance team from 13 to 15 September 2010. The NZ, GEER and JGS members worked as one team and shared resources, information and logistics in order to conduct thorough and most efficient reconnaissance covering a large area over a very limited time period. This report summarises the key evidence and findings from the reconnaissance.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Helping hand: Psychiatrist Jo Frethey leads a free counselling service offered last week for earthquake victims in south Christchurch".
Furniture from the Shelley Common Room moved to the food court and Mix Cafe area after the September earthquake.
Carole Rickman handing out sweets to staff working in temporary office space in the Central Library after the earthquake.
Carole Rickman handing out sweets to staff working in temporary office space in the Central Library after the earthquake.
Carole Rickman handing out sweets to staff working in temporary office space in the Central Library after the earthquake.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to Snowgum, Bennett's Shoe Service and the Benson Restaurant No.1 at 637, 639 and 641 Colombo Street.
Barry McKay from Civil Defence who helped organise Students in the Student Volunteer Army cleanup silt after the earthquake.
Main counter at the student centre where they are offering advocacy, welfare, and hardship advice for students following the earthquake.
Mohammed Alsane and Mansour Alhenaki, Saudi Arabian students who were just leaving the James Hight building when the September earthquake struck.
Mohammed Alsane and Mansour Alhenaki, Saudi Arabian students who were just leaving the James Hight building when the September earthquake struck.
Members of the emergency response team look at a map of the campus at the Emergency House after the September earthquakes.
Furniture and games from the Shelley Common Room moved to the food court and Mix Cafe area after the September earthquake.
Mohammed Alsane and Mansour Alhenaki, Saudi Arabian students who were just leaving the James Hight building when the September earthquake struck.
A plan to revitalise the centre of the small rural service town of Kaiapoi will be fast-tracked in the wake of the Canterbury earthquake.
Students in the Student Volunteer Army meeting at Chisnallwood Intermediate School with spades and wheelbarrows, preparing to clean up silt after the earthquake.
Prime Minister John Key visits the campus to thank the Student Volunteer Army who helped with the clean up following the September earthquake.
Prime Minister John Key visits the campus to thank the Student Volunteer Army who helped with the clean up following the September earthquake.
Prime Minister John Key visits the campus to thank the Student Volunteer Army who helped with the clean up following the September earthquake.
Students in the Student Volunteer Army meeting at Chisnallwood Intermediate School with spades and wheelbarrows, preparing to clean up silt after the earthquake.
In Canterbury, those carrying out sentences of community service are being put to good use - with teams of workers out helping with the post-earthquake clean-up.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Heather Smith, service delivery supervisor for Battered Women's Refuge, starts moving things into their new safe house after the previous property sustained earthquake damage".
Plans for the reconstruction of earthquake damaged parts of Christchurch are slowly taking shape as priority is given to restoring fundamental services to residential areas of the city.
A photograph of a fire fighter standing in front of 33 Worcester Street, now a pile of rubble after the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
Aerial footage of Christchurch after the 4 September 2010 earthquake. The footage shows the earthquake damage to Wizard Home Loans & Cartridge World on Riccarton Road, Harding's Chemist and Angus Donaldson Copy Service on Colombo Street, Para Rubber and Westende Jewellers on Manchester Street, The Loaded Hog on Cashel Street, St Mary & St Athanasios Church on Edgeware Road, The Daily Bagel on Victoria Street, the Laxmi Foodstore on Barbadoes Street, Television Services on Westminster Street, The Hat Shop on High Street, St Paul's Parish Church on Gayhurst Road, Sullivan Park on Galbraith Road, and Avonside Drive.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Aftermath of the earthquake in Christchurch where the cleanup has begun. Teams of building inspectors gathered at the Linwood Service Centre before heading into the eastern suburbs en masse".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Aftermath of the earthquake in Christchurch where the cleanup has begun. Teams of building inspectors gathered at the Linwood Service Centre before heading into the eastern suburbs en masse".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Aftermath of the earthquake in Christchurch where the cleanup has begun. Teams of building inspectors gathered at the Linwood Service Centre before heading into the eastern suburbs en masse".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Aftermath of the earthquake in Christchurch where the cleanup has begun. Teams of building inspectors gathered at the Linwood Service Centre before heading into the eastern suburbs en masse".