On 4 September 2010, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Darfield, 40 kilometres west of Christchurch, New Zealand. The quake caused significant damage to land and buildings nearby, with damage extending to Christchurch city. On 22 February 2011, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, causing extensive and significant damage across the city and with the loss of 185 lives. Years on from these events, occasional large aftershocks continue to shake the region. Two main entomological collections were situated within close proximity to the 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes. The Lincoln University Entomology Research Collection, which is housed on the 5th floor of a 7 storey building, was 27.5 km from the 2010 Darfield earthquake epicentre. The Canterbury Museum Entomology Collection, which is housed in the basement of a multi-storeyed heritage building, was 10 km from the 2011 Christchurch earthquake epicentre. We discuss the impacts of the earthquakes on these collections, the causes of the damage to the specimens and facilities, and subsequent efforts that were made to prevent further damage in the event of future seismic events. We also discuss the wider need for preparedness against the risks posed by natural disasters and other catastrophic events.
A press release from the Office of the Press Secretary in the US White House announcing the deployment of a US Agency for International Development (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The response team included the Los Angeles County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue Team who assisted with the search and rescue efforts.
The twisted and broken Medway Street bridge. The photographer comments, "The twisted footbridge at the Medway St corner".
Silt-laden water flows into the Avon River. The photographer comments, "Corner River Rd, Banks Ave, Dallington Tce. Dirty water from Dudley Creek meets the Avon".
A pdf transcript of Mark Elstone's second earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox Take 2 project. Interviewer: Samuel Hope. Transcriber: Lucy Denham.
Canterbury Earthquakes Symposium - Ōtautahi creative spaces: Strengthening the recovery context through a collective arts-based approach This panel discussion was presented by Dr Catherine Savage, Director (Ihi Research) and Kim Morton, Director (Ihi Research) The Canterbury Earthquakes Symposium, jointly hosted by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Christchurch City Council, was held on 29-30 November 2018 at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. The purpose of the event was to share lessons from the Canterbury earthquakes so that New Zealand as a whole can be better prepared in future for any similar natural disasters. Speakers and presenters included Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister, Hon Dr Megan Woods, Christchurch Mayor, Lianne Dalziel, Ngāi Tahu chief executive, Arihia Bennett, head of the public inquiry into EQC, Dame Sylvia Cartwright, urban planner specialising in disaster recovery and castrophe risk management, Dr Laurie Johnson; Christchurch NZ chief executive and former Press editor, Joanna Norris; academic researcher and designer, Barnaby Bennett; and filmmaker, Gerard Smyth. About 300 local and national participants from the public, private, voluntary sectors and academia attended the Symposium. They represented those involved in the Canterbury recovery effort, and also leaders of organisations that may be impacted by future disasters or involved in recovery efforts. The focus of the Symposium was on ensuring that we learn from the Canterbury experience and that we can apply those learnings.
A pdf transcript of Troy Gillan's second earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox Take 2 project. Interviewer: Samuel Hope. Transcriber: Maggie Blackwood.
A pdf transcript of Ina Wit's second earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox Take 2 project. Interviewer: Sriparna Saha. Transcriber: Natalie Looyer.
Cracks in the driveway of a house in Richmond. The photographer comments, "Tarsealed driveways have numerous cracks".
A photograph of the clock drive of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope is in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. This image was used by Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Physics and Astronomy, to identify the telescope's parts after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Damage to a house in Richmond. There are large cracks in the stucco below the chimney. The photographer comments, "Our neighbours' broken fireplace and chimney".
A large crack runs through the garden of a house in Richmond. The photographer comments, "A large crack about 15cm wide runs across three sections. Note the movement in the slabs for the garden path".
A photograph of the Townsend Telescope in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. This image was used by Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Physics and Astronomy, to identify the telescope's parts after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of the Townsend Telescope in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Astronomy and Physics, is standing to the left. This image was used by Kershaw to identify the telescope's parts after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of the Townsend Telescope in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. In the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph is a pulley for the telescope's clock drive. This is one of the pieces that went missing when the Observatory tower collapsed in the 22 February 2011 earthquake. This image was used by Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Physics and Astronomy, to identify the telescope's parts after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of the Townsend Telescope in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. This image was used by Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Physics and Astronomy, to identify the telescope's parts after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of the middle section of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope is in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. A plate on the side reads, "T Cook & Sons, 1864, York & London". This image was used by Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Physics and Astronomy, to identify the telescope's parts after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of the middle section of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope is in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. This image was used by Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Physics and Astronomy, to identify the telescope's parts after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Damage to a house in Richmond. Part of a concrete patio has slumped, leaving large cracks. In the background, cracks are visible in the brickwork of the house. The photographer comments, "More patio cracks".
Damage to a house in Richmond. Part of a concrete patio has slumped, leaving large cracks, and a gap has opened up between the house and the patio. The photographer comments, "The concrete patio is broken into big slabs".
Damage to a house in Richmond. Part of a brick wall has slumped, leaving a large gap between the wall and a window frame. The photographer comments, "Sunroom window frame".
USAR personnel in front of Henry Africa's on Stanmore Road. Bricks have fallen from the upper storey onto the road below, and the building is cordoned off with emergency tape. The photographer comments, "Damage to Henry Africa's restaurant in Stanmore Rd".
Damage to a house in Richmond. A large crack runs through a concrete patio. The photographer comments, "The concrete patio is broken into big slabs. Over the following week this subsided even further".
St Paul's church in Dallington, with many of the tiles removed from the roof, and pallets stacked in front. The photographer comments, "St Pauls Catholic Church, partially demolished".
A photograph of Wayne Smith and Ken Vickery inside the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre, taken in the 1970s. Smith and Vickery are pictured next to the Townsend Telescope, which they have just refurbished. No repair work was necessary during this process.
A bicycle stands with its front wheel wedged in a road crack. The photographer comments, "Cracks in the road can be useful - a free bike stand. Corner of North Avon Rd and River Rd".
A photograph of the middle section of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope is in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. A plate on the side reads, "T Cook & Sons, 1864, York & London". This image was used by Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Physics and Astronomy, to identify the telescope's parts after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Damage to a house in Richmond. A large crack runs through brickwork under a window, and one side of the wall has visibly slumped, leaving a gap between the bricks and the window frame. The photographer comments, "Cracking in the external brickwork".
Damage to a house in Richmond. Part of the brick wall has slumped to one side, leaving a visible gap between the wall and a windowframe. Broken wooden framing can be seen in the gap. The photographer comments, "Cracking in the external brickwork".
Damage to a house in Richmond. Bricks have fallen from a wall, and there is a visible gap between the foundation and the surrounding ground. The photographer comments, "The foundation and a section of the wall of the dining room have shifted and cracked. The dining room floor is very springy".