The Earthquake Worms

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A digitally manipulated photograph of twisted reinforcing rods amongst the rubble from the demolition of QEII. The photographer comments, "These rarely seen worms live in the pressurised earth under the foundations of buildings. They need a damp soil and be under at least 100 pounds of pressure per square inch. After the destructive force of an earthquake they swiftly rise to the surface through gaps in the rubble. Unfortunately they quickly die and then crystallise as hard as iron in the dry low pressure air".

The Gallery of Quake Art

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A black and white photograph of a partially demolished building. The remains of concrete slabs hang from reinforcing rods. The photographer comments, "Christchurch has a gallery of quake art on nearly every corner".

He's Not Heavy, He's My Brother

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A large concrete beam, still partially connected by reinforcing rods to the partially-demolished building it came from lies across an entranceway.

Monster Munch

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A digitally manipulated image of a excavator claw tangled with reinforcing cable, with a damaged concrete building in the background. The photographer comments, "The monster destroying the earthquake broken buildings close to the Lyttelton tunnel".

I've Lit the Fuse, What Next?

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Two workers inspect fuses placed in an embankment during reinforcement work. The photographer comments, "This is the reinforcing of an embankment in the port of Lyttelton, which partly collapsed in the Christchurch earthquakes. They are using the same equipment as used for blowing up rock faces to mend them".