Living in an Earthquake Zone Can Be Unreal

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a damaged house has been reflected in the lower part of the image and digitally manipulated.

Counting Holes

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Holes in a brick building on Fitzgerald Avenue are marked with spray-painted numbers.

The Building Blocks of Life

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A stack of concrete blocks removed from a building.

They Tried to Put Humpty Together Again

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A damaged brick building has wooden bracing holding the walls together. The photographer comments, "This building came through the September Christchurch quake with a few band aid plasters, but the February quake means that she is now DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)".

Remembering Why it is Called the Red Zone

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A digitally manipulated image of a damaged building. The photographer comments, "Part of Christchurch City is out of bounds for the public and is called the red zone".

The Orange Hand of Fate

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Damage to The Bone Dude's Bone Carving Studio and Cultured Gallery on Fitzgerald Avenue. The brick wall is cracked, and the guttering has fallen. The photographer comments, "This building was damaged in the September earthquake in Christchurch. It was the Bone dude's bone carving studio. The motto on the wall was 'Carve your own' and it looks like the earthquakes did just that".

You Do Not Have to Drop, Cover and Hold During a Quake

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Graffiti on a brick wall reads "Pray hope and don't worry". The photographer comments, "Seen on a wall on Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch".

Open Plan Living and Good Indoor/Outdoor Flow

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A brick wall has fallen from this house, exposing the rooms within and leaving a pile of rubble in front. The ceiling has slumped and is held up with jacks. The photographer comments, "This was probably the result of the shallower February Christchurch earthquake rather than the bigger September one".

Knox Presbyterian Church

Images, UC QuakeStudies

The damaged Knox Church on Bealey Avenue. Bricks have fallen from the walls, exposing the wooden beams. The photographer comments, "You can now see how the old churches were constructed".

After the September Earthquake

Images, UC QuakeStudies

The clock tower of the former Railway Station, encased in plywood to prevent further damage. A banner sponsored by The Press hangs below the clock, covered with words which symbolise the September earthquake. The photographer comments, "After the September earthquake the clocked stopped at 04:35 and everyone campaigned to have this clock left as it was. At that time the building was believed to be OK. Two more earthquakes later and the possible memorial will probably end up like a lot of Christchurch's heritage buildings on a huge pile of stone and bricks in Bottle Lake Forest".

Looking Through a More Darker Window

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A black and white photograph of a pile of rubble in front of a window. In the background behind the window a gap in the building can be seen. The photographer comments, "The result of the Christchurch earthquakes".

The State of Christchurch Heritage

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A digitally manipulated image of a broken window. The photographer comments, "There is hardly anything left of Christchurch's proud heritage buildings. Most older buildings were made of brick and though they should have had improvements to make them withstand a medium earthquake most did not. They were badly damaged when hit with a series of earthquakes that were up to 2.2g at the epicentre and 1.88g in the City".