
Social media have changed disaster response and recovery in the way people inform themselves, provide community support and make sense of unfolding and past events online. During the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter became part of the story of the quakes in the region, as well as a basis for ongoing public engagement during the rebuild efforts in Christchurch. While a variety of research has been conducted on the use of social media in disaster situations (Bruns & Burgess, 2012; Potts, Seitzinger, Jones, & Harrison, 2011; Shklovski, Palen, & Sutton, 2008), studies about their uses in long-term disaster recovery and across different platforms are underrepresented. This research analyses networked practices of sensemaking around the Canterbury earthquakes over the course of disaster response, recovery and rebuild, focussing on Facebook and Twitter. Following a mixed methodological design data was gathered in interviews with people who started local Facebook pages, and through digital media methods of data collection and computational analysis of public Facebook pages and a historical Twitter dataset gathered around eight different earthquake-related events between 2010 and 2013. Data is further analysed through discursive and narrative tools of inquiry. This research sheds light on communication practices in the drawn-out process of disaster recovery on the ground in connecting different modes of discourse. Examining the ongoing negotiation of networked identities through technologically mediated social practices during Canterbury’s rebuild, the connection between online environments and the city of Christchurch, as a physical place, is unpacked. This research subsequently develops a new methodology to study social media platforms and provide new and detailed information on both the communication practices in issue-based online publics and the ongoing negotiation of the impact of the Canterbury earthquakes through networked digital means.
The earthquake swarm that has struck Canterbury, New Zealand from September 2010 has led to widespread destruction and loss of life in the city of Christchurch. In response to this the New Zealand government convened a Royal Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908. The terms of reference for this enquiry were wide ranging, and included inquiry into legal and best-practice requirements for earthquake-prone buildings and associated risk management strategies. The Commission produced a final report on earthquake-prone buildings and recommendations which was made public on the 7th December 2012. Also on the 7th of December 2012 the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) released a Consultation Document that includes many of the recommendations put forward by the Royal Commission. This paper examines the evidence presented to the Royal Commission and reviews their recommendations and those of MBIE in relation to the management of earthquake-prone buildings. An analysis of the likely impacts of the recommendations and proposals on both the property market and society in general is also undertaken.
Highlights from Radio New Zealand National's programmes for the week ending Friday 17 September. This week........criticism of some media over coverage of the Canterbury earthquake, the French five hour working week exposed, Sir Keith Park's legacy 70 years after the Battle of Britain, Cold - a new book explores this temperature good and bad and fond memories shared of the Monde Marie coffee shop in Wellington.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Newly married couple Jill Tyquin-Smith and Arthur Smith of Rangiora, who decided to get married after the Canterbury earthquake so they could live together. They organised the wedding in two weeks and are now living happily ever after".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Newly married couple Jill Tyquin-Smith and Arthur Smith of Rangiora, who decided to get married after the Canterbury earthquake so they could live together. They organised the wedding in two weeks and are now living happily ever after".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Newly married couple Jill Tyquin-Smith and Arthur Smith of Rangiora, who decided to get married after the Canterbury earthquake so they could live together. They organised the wedding in two weeks and are now living happily ever after".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Newly married couple Jill Tyquin-Smith and Arthur Smith of Rangiora, who decided to get married after the Canterbury earthquake so they could live together. They organised the wedding in two weeks and are now living happily ever after".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Newly married couple Jill Tyquin-Smith and Arthur Smith of Rangiora, who decided to get married after the Canterbury earthquake so they could live together. They organised the wedding in two weeks and are now living happily ever after".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Newly married couple Jill Tyquin-Smith and Arthur Smith of Rangiora, who decided to get married after the Canterbury earthquake so they could live together. They organised the wedding in two weeks and are now living happily ever after".
A pdf copy of panel 5 of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes text from an interview with Jolene Parker about her experiences of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquake. Above this is an image of Parker sitting in the site of her grandmother's house, which was demolished after the earthquakes.
A photograph of a fence on the Greendale Fault line which has been damaged by the 4 September 2010 earthquake. The wire has been pulled off the posts and is hanging loose.
Sue Holmes, resident of Seabreeze Close in Bexley, which was built on reclaimed land which has liquefied after the Canterbury earthquake; Dr Tom Wilson, lecturer in Hazard and Disaster Management, from the department of Geological Sciences, Canterbury University; and Bob Parker, Mayor of Christchurch.
One portable toilet comprising of a black toilet seat and lid attached to a grey bucket; sticky label on the front features an image of the toilet, lightning and text including 'Thunder Down Under / Portable Toilet'; manufacturer's mark on lid reads 'Elemental'. Residents who owned commercially produced portable toilets like this ‘Thunder Down ...
One beige Campmaster portable chemical toilet made from a matte finished high-density polythene and comprising a 20 litre holding tank for waste product and a 10 litre water tank for flushing. Chemical toilets were distributed by the Christchurch City Council as one solution to the badly damaged sewerage system following the 22 February 2011 ea...
Text at top left reads 'Earthquake... aftershock... or "new event"... one thing remains constant...' Below is a snail with 'EQC payments' printed on its shell. Context - This is a reference to the problems that Christchurch people are having in getting payments from the EQC (Earthquake Commission) Disgruntled tradespeople who are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars by EQC are considering legal action. Remaining unpaid can mean that companies may have to consider laying people off. The Amalgamated Workers Union says delays in EQC payments for housing repair work in quake-hit Christchurch are building to a crisis point. Two versions of this cartoon are available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
Senior Constable Bruce Lamb is the Christchurch police dog handler who narrowly survived being shot in the course of duty on 13 July 2010, his police dog, Gage, was killed. Then Bruce's house was red stickered following the Canterbury earthquake in September, condemned and to be demolished.
The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the seismic response of the UC Physics Building based on recorded ground motions during the Canterbury earthquakes, and to use the recorded response to evaluate the efficacy of various conventional structural analysis modelling assumptions. The recorded instrument data is examined and analysed to determine how the UC Physics Building performed during the earthquake-induced ground motions. Ten of the largest earthquake events from the 2010-11 Canterbury earthquake sequence are selected in order to understand the seismic response under various levels of demand. Peak response amplitude values are found which characterise the demand from each event. Spectral analysis techniques are utilised to find the natural periods of the structure in each orthogonal direction. Significant torsional and rocking responses are also identified from the recorded ground motions. In addition, the observed building response is used to scrutinise the adequacy of NZ design code prescriptions for fundamental period, response spectra, floor acceleration and effective member stiffness. The efficacy of conventional numerical modelling assumptions for representing the UC Physics Building are examined using the observed building response. The numerical models comprise of the following: a one dimensional multi degree of freedom model, a two dimensional model along each axis of the building and a three dimensional model. Both moderate and strong ground motion records are used to examine the response and subsequently clarify the importance of linear and non-linear responses and the inclusion of base flexibility. The effects of soil-structure interaction are found to be significant in the transverse direction but not the longitudinal direction. Non-linear models predict minor in-elastic behaviour in both directions during the 4 September 2010 Mw 7.1 Darfield earthquake. The observed torsional response is found to be accurately captured by the three dimensional model by considering the interaction between the UC Physics Building and the adjacent structure. With the inclusion of adequate numerical modelling assumptions, the structural response is able to be predicted to within 10% for the majority of the earthquake events considered.
An interested passerby assumes that a builder will be keen to get some EQC work fixing up Christchurch but the builder replies 'Are you kidding?! Not while EQC is paying us $4500 a week to do its assessments!' Context - The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has employed 414 contractors to carry out the assessments on its behalf, Radio New Zealand reported. Contractors carrying out property inspections of quake-damaged Christchurch homes are being paid about $4000 a week. Contractors are paid $75 an hour, while the builders, who inspect the damage, receive $60 an hour, the broadcaster said. (8 June 2011) Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
Research on responses to trauma has historically focused on the negative repercussions of a struggle with adversity. However, more recently, researchers have begun to examine posttraumatic growth: the positive psychological change that emerges from the struggle with a potentially traumatic event. Associations have been found between posttraumatic growth and greater peritraumatic distress, greater objective severity of trauma exposure, greater perceived stressfulness of events, social support, female gender, cognitive and behavioural responses to trauma, and personality measures. Posttraumatic growth has been measured typically in individuals with varying levels of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and other psychological difficulties, such as depression and anxiety. Although some theory and research posits that higher resilience would prohibit posttraumatic growth, no studies have examined posttraumatic growth in a resilient sample. The Canterbury earthquake sequence of 2010 and 2011 involved potentially traumatic events that saw the community struggle with a variety of challenges. However, in the midst of earthquake destruction, some positive initiatives emerged, driven by locals. The Gap Filler project (using city spaces left empty from fallen buildings for art and interactive community projects) and the Student Volunteer Army (groups of volunteers coordinated to help others in need) are examples of this. In this context, it seemed likely that posttraumatic growth was occurring and might be seen in individuals who were coping well with challenges. Culture is theorised to influence the posttraumatic growth process (Calhoun, Cann, & Tedeschi, 2010), and the nature of the trauma undergone is also likely to influence the process of growth. The current thesis measures posttraumatic growth quantitatively and qualitatively in a New Zealand sample. It measures and describes posttraumatic growth in a resilient population after the earthquake sequence of 2010 and 2011 in Canterbury, New Zealand. Findings are used to test current models of posttraumatic growth for individuals coping well after trauma and to elaborate on mechanisms proposed by models such as the comprehensive model of posttraumatic growth (Calhoun et al., 2010) and the organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity (Joseph & Linley, 2005). Correlates of posttraumatic growth are examined and likely supporting factors of posttraumatic growth are identified for this population. Study 1 used quantitative analysis to explore correlates of posttraumatic growth and found that greater posttraumatic growth related to greater peritraumatic distress, greater perceived stressfulness of earthquake events, greater objective stressfulness of earthquake events, greater difficulty with stressful life events, less satisfaction with social support, and female gender. Findings from Study 1 give important detail about the nature of distress included in the comprehensive model of posttraumatic growth (Calhoun et al., 2010) for this population. Levels of posttraumatic growth were lower than those in North American studies but similar to those in a Chinese study. The current sample, however, showed lower endorsement of Relating to Others than the Chinese study, perhaps because of cultural differences. Study 2 used qualitative analysis to examine the experience of posttraumatic growth in the sample. The theme of ‘a greater sense of community’ was found and adds to the comprehensive model of posttraumatic growth, in that an expression of posttraumatic growth (a greater connection with others) can inform ongoing social processing in the posttraumatic growth process. Having a formal or informal role in earthquake recovery appeared to influence self-concept and reflection; this elaborates on the influence of role on reflection in Calhoun et al.’s model. Findings illustrate possible mechanisms of the organismic valuing process theorised by Joseph and Linley (2005). Implications include the importance of providing opportunities for individuals to take on a role after a crisis, encouraging them to act to respond to difficulties, and encouraging them to meet personal needs for relatedness, competence, and autonomy. Finding positive aspects to a difficult situation, as well as acknowledging adversity, can be supported in future to help individuals process their traumas. As a society, we can help individuals cope with adversity by providing ways they can meet their needs for relatedness, competence, and autonomy. Community groups likely provide opportunities for members to act in ways that meet such needs. This will allow them to effectively act to meet their needs in times of crisis.
A photograph of an earthquake-damaged chimney on a house in Christchurch. The bricks have crumbled to reveal the flue.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "The Canterbury Earthquake Business Benefit Dinner hosted by the Prime Minister, was held tonight at Sky City in Auckland. Shown at the dinner is Auckland Supercity mayoral candidate Len Brown (left) with Bill Highet the retail GM at Meridian".
Introduction In 2011 Christchurch city centre was partially destroyed by an earthquake. Government-led anchor projects were tasked with bringing Christchurch back from rubble. After a period of 7 years out of 16 proposed projects, 10 are already over time for their initial completion dates and the ones completed, are under scrutiny for failing to deliver their expected outcome.
20131231_8509_EOS M-22 Forsyth Barr building with remains of PWC just behind the green fence (across river) Another city walk around, this time with my brother-in-law from Auckland. Also went to the Quake City exhibition in the city organised by the Canterbury Museum. First fine day for a while. #4506
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker smiles smugly from the top of a cliff while Jim Anderton, his chief rival for mayor in the local body elections to be held on 9th October 2010, lands with a bump as the ground on which he was standing, collapses. Refers to the unexpected and advantageous public exposure gained by the incumbent mayor because of the Christchurch earthquake of the 4th September. Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
'Cappuccino dreams'. Christchurch mayoral candidates Jim Anderton and incumbent mayor Bob Parker tell constituents that they will get respectively more transparency in 'financial dealings' and in 't-shirts'. As the earthquake strikes they continue their electioneering until they are told to 'clear orf' because 'these frames lack substance'. A front-end loader begins to dismantle the structure from which they are speaking. Refers to the local body elections to take place 9th October and the Canterbury earthquake of 4th September. Published in the Presto Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A pdf copy of the second introductory panel of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes a collection of Guy Frederick's memories of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, as well as discussion on how people experience change.
A pdf copy of the first introductory panel of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes a collection of Guy Frederick's memories of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, as well as discussion on how people experience change.
Photographs of central Christchurch after the 2010-2012 earthquakes taken 25 February 2012 by Sean McMahon. Locations are chiefly Manchester, Saint Asaph, Cashel, Columbo and Lichfield Streets, and the Bridge of Remembrance. Images show fencing around areas closed to the public, damaged and collapsed commercial buildings, cleared sites, re-opened Cashel Street area with shops and a cafe. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 34 digital photograph(s).
A video about Whare, a gift and homeware store which relocated several times after the 4 September 2010 earthquake. Whare originally had two stores, one in Beckenham, and another on Lichfield Street in the central city. Both stores were closed as a result of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The store reopened temporarily in a garage and then in the Snowride Store on Lincoln Road. This video was part of The Press's 'Up and Running' series which showcases businesses which have stayed up and running despite the challenges posed by the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.
Liquefaction affects late Holocene, loose packed and water saturated sediment subjected to cyclical shear stress. Liquefaction features in the geological record are important off-fault markers that inform about the occurrence of moderate to large earthquakes (> 5 Mw). The study of contemporary liquefaction features provides a better understanding of where to find past (paleo) liquefaction features, which, if identified and dated, can provide information on the occurrence, magnitude and timing of past earthquakes. This is particularly important in areas with blind active faults. The extensive liquefaction caused by the 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence (CES) gave the geoscience community the opportunity to study the liquefaction process in different settings (alluvial, coastal and estuarine), investigating different aspects (e.g. geospatial correlation with landforms, thresholds for peak ground acceleration, resilience of infrastructures), and to collect a wealth geospatial dataset in the broad region of the Canterbury Plains. The research presented in this dissertation examines the sedimentary architecture of two environments, the alluvial and coastal settings, affected by liquefaction during the CES. The novel aim of this study is to investigate how landform and subsurface sedimentary architecture influence liquefaction and its surface manifestation, to provide knowledge for locating studies of paleoliquefaction in future. Two study cases documented in the alluvial setting showed that liquefaction features affected a crevasse splay and point bar ridges. However, the liquefaction source layer was linked to paleochannel floor deposits below the crevasse splay in the first case, and to the point bar deposits themselves in the second case. This research documents liquefaction features in the coastal dune system of the Canterbury Plains in detail for the first time. In the coastal dune setting the liquefiable layer is near the surface. The pore water pressure is vented easily because the coastal dune soil profile is entirely composed of non-cohesive, very well sorted sandy sediment that weakly resists disturbance from fluidised sediment under pressure. As a consequence, the liquefied flow does not need to find a specific crack through which the sediment is vented at the surface; instead, the liquefied sand finds many closely spaced conduits to vent its excess of pore water pressure. Therefore, in the coastal dune setting it is rare to observe discrete dikes (as they are defined in the alluvial setting), instead A horizon delamination (splitting) and blistering (near surface sills) are more common. The differences in styles of surface venting lead to contrasts in patterns of ejecta in the two environments. Whereas the alluvial environment is characterised by coalesced sand blows forming lineations, the coastal dune environment hosts apparently randomly distributed isolated sand blows often associated with collapse features. Amongst the techniques tested for the first time to investigate liquefaction features are: 3D GPR, which improved the accuracy of the trenching even six years after the liquefaction events; thin section analysis to investigate sediment fabric, which helped to discriminate liquefied sediment from its host sediment, and modern from paleoliquefaction features; a Random Forest classification based on the CES liquefaction map, which was used to test relationships between surface manifestation of liquefaction and topographic parameters. The results from this research will be used to target new study sites for future paleoliquefaction research and thus will improve the earthquake hazard assessment across New Zealand.