At 4.35 a.m. on 4 September 2010, the Canterbury region was struck by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake. It shook Cantabrians, their properties, their land and their lives.
Old churches and earthquakes do not mix well.
GNS seismologists explain why the Darfield and Christchurch earthquakes were so damaging and 'punchy'
Rodger Bates is a farmer from near Darfield.
A photograph of a hedge near Telegraph road in Darfield. The unevenness is a result of the earthquake.
A video of interviews with Kaiapoi residents about their the 4 September 2010 earthquake. Kaiapoi was one of the worst-affected areas following the earthquake which was centred in Darfield.
The earthquake which struck at 4.35 a.m. on a Saturday morning was felt by many people in the South Island and southern North Island. There was considerable damage in central Canterbury, especially in Christchurch, but no loss of life.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage to roads near Darfield".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage to roads near Darfield".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage to roads near Darfield".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage to roads near Darfield".
The September Canterbury earthquake. These buildings have since been demolished. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These buildings have since been demolished. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These buildings have since been demolished. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
A photograph of a power pole on Highfield Road that shifted during the earthquake.
Toppled grain silos on the outskirts of Darfield near the epicentre of the magnitude 7,1 earthquake that struck on Saturday 4 September 2010.
Toppled grain silos on the outskirts of Darfield near the epicentre of the magnitude 7,1 earthquake that struck on Saturday 4 September 2010.
Toppled grain silos on the outskirts of Darfield near the epicentre of the magnitude 7,1 earthquake that struck on Saturday 4 September 2010.
Toppled grain silos on the outskirts of Darfield near the epicentre of the magnitude 7,1 earthquake that struck on Saturday 4 September 2010.
Toppled grain silos on the outskirts of Darfield near the epicentre of the magnitude 7,1 earthquake that struck on Saturday 4 September 2010.
Toppled grain silos on the outskirts of Darfield near the epicentre of the magnitude 7,1 earthquake that struck on Saturday 4 September 2010.
Toppled grain silos on the outskirts of Darfield near the epicentre of the magnitude 7,1 earthquake that struck on Saturday 4 September 2010.
Toppled grain silos on the outskirts of Darfield near the epicentre of the magnitude 7,1 earthquake that struck on Saturday 4 September 2010.
Toppled grain silos on the outskirts of Darfield near the epicentre of the magnitude 7,1 earthquake that struck on Saturday 4 September 2010.
Toppled grain silos on the outskirts of Darfield near the epicentre of the magnitude 7,1 earthquake that struck on Saturday 4 September 2010.
On the way to Darfield to locate the faultline where the tectonic plates slipped, causing the magnitude 7.1 earthquake on Saturday 4 September 2010.
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 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. Unreinforced masonry buildings also suffered extensive damage throughout the region. 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, an intensive geotechnical reconnaissance was conducted to capture evidence and perishable data from this event. This paper summarizes the observations and preliminary findings from this early reconnaissance work.
A photograph of a fence post that lifted out of the ground during the earthquake, pulling a clump of soil with it.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These pictures were taken of Colombo Street in Sydenham. A lot of masonry in this area has been damaged/fallen down. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These pictures were taken of Colombo Street in Sydenham. A lot of masonry in this area has been damaged/fallen down. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.