Farming and urban regions are impacted by earthquake disasters in different ways, and feature a range of often different recovery requirements. In New Zealand, and elsewhere, most earthquake impact and recovery research is urban focused. This creates a research deficit that can lead to the application of well-researched urban recovery strategies in rural areas to suboptimal effect. To begin to reduce this deficit, in-depth case studies of the earthquake impacts and recovery of three New Zealand farms severely impacted by the 14th November 2016, M7.8 Hurunui-Kaikōura earthquake were conducted. The initial earthquake, its aftershocks and coseismic hazards (e.g., landslides, liquefaction, surface rupture) affected much of North Canterbury, Marlborough and the Wellington area. The three case study farms were chosen to broadly represent the main types of farming and topography in the Hurunui District in North Canterbury. The farms were directly and indirectly impacted by earthquakes and related hazards. On-farm infrastructure (e.g., woolsheds, homesteads) and essential services (e.g., water, power), frequently sourced from distributed networks, were severely impacted. The earthquake occurred after two years of regional drought had already stressed farm systems and farmers to restructuring or breaking point. Cascading interlinked hazards stemming from the earthquakes and coseismic hazards continued to disrupt earthquake recovery over a year after the initial earthquake. Semi-structured interviews with the farmers were conducted nine and fourteen months after the initial earthquake to capture the timeline of on-going impacts and recovery. Analysis of both geological hazard data and interview data resulted in the identification of key factors influencing farm level earthquake impact and recovery. These include pre-existing conditions (e.g., drought); farm-specific variations in recovery timelines; and resilience strategies for farm recovery resources. The earthquake recovery process presented all three farms with opportunities to change their business plans and adapt to mitigate on-going and future risk.
Summary of oral history interview with Jenny May about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Images of Christchurch following the earthquake, showing the demolition of buildings, street art, art, community and cultural life.
Visual overview of ideas generated for the redevelopment of Christchurch following recent earthquakes, using the Magnetic South online discussion game.
Site of Sir Paul Callaghan's project appealing to expat Kiwis to pay back their student loans following the Christchurch earthquake.
Blog of freelance journalist Adrienne Rewi who lives in Christchurch. She highlights Christchurch's historic cemeteries and covers the Christchurch earthquake among other things.
This study led on from Earthquake hazard and risk assessment study Stage 1 Part A: Earthquake source identification and characterisation (Pettinga et al, 1998). It used the location and characteristics of active faults in the Canterbury region, and the historic record of earthquakes to estimate levels of ground shaking (MM intensity, peak ground acceleration and spectral accelerations) across Canterbury for different return periods. The study also provided earthquake scenarios for selected towns and cities in Canterbury, and undertook detailed investigations into the largest historic earthquakes in Christchurch and parts of the Canterbury region. See Object Overview for background and usage information.
A view after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch.
Update of the Canterbury Earthquake including the Prime Minister's address to Parliament.
Damage from the Christchurch 7.1 earthquake on 4th Sept 2010
A report card rating the Earthquake Recovery Minister's handling of the Canterbury earthquakes.
The 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence was extremely damaging to structures in Christchurch and continues to have a large economic and social impact on the city and surrounding regions. In addition to strong ground shaking (Bradley and Cubrinovski 2011 SRL; Bradley 2012 SDEE), extensive liquefaction was observed, particularly in the 4 September 2010 Darfield earthquake and the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake (Cubrinovski et al. 2010 BNZSEE; 2011 SRL). Large observed vertical ground motion amplitudes were recorded in the events in this sequence, with vertical peak ground accelerations of over 2.2g being observed at the Heathcote Valley Primary School during the Christchurch earthquake, and numerous other vertical motions exceeding 1.0g (Bradley and Cubrinovski 2011 SRL; Bradley 2012 SDEE; Fry et al 2011 SRL). Vertical peak ground accelerations of over 1.2g were observed in the Darfield earthquake.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, is leading the government's response to the latest round of earthquakes.
This study updated and superseded Earthquake hazard and risk assessment study Stage 1 Part A: Earthquake source identification and characterisation (Pettinga et al, 1998). It compiled and tabulated all relevant available information on earthquake sources in Canterbury and updated the active faults database with new fault locations and information. See Object Overview for background and usage information.
An earthquake engineer says designing buildings to resist earthquakes is as much an art as it is a science and you can never make a structure completely quake-proof.
Blog of Christchurch poet Catherine Fitchett. Includes her thoughts about poetry and life, and photographs, including the Christchurch earthquake.
Commemorates 1 year after the Christchurch Earthquake. In the Press newspaper section of the Fairfax New Zealand Stuff.co.nz news site.
The head of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority Roger Sutton is with us now.
Earthquake aerial photo taken by Jude Lathey, 6 September 2010.
Provides information for students and staff of University of Canterbury in relation to the Canterbury earthquake of 22nd February 2011. Contains re-start timetable, transport options, latest announcements, FAQs, video and photo galleries, messages of support and sections devoted to the Library and the College of Education.
Shows a hand lifting a house up from the ground, as the earth shakes and rumbles around it. A voice in the earth says, 'I'm still here'. Refers to ongoing earthquakes and aftershocks following the devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in Canterbury. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A news item titled, "Canterbury University Earthquake Lectures", published on the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre's website on Friday, 23 September 2011.
A photograph of a SPCA Wellington vehicle driving through the Christchurch central city after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, a group of shops has been damaged by the earthquakes. A portaloo can be seen to the left.
A photograph of the Animal Rescue Unit preparing to drop off food at welfare centres and other sites in earthquake affected areas after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, a member of SPCA Canterbury is being interviewed by TVNZ.
The title is 'The next stage in earthquake prediction?... Six images show 'aromatherapists', auctioneers', chiropractors', fortune tellers', a 'sixth sense' and 'psychics'. Context - reference to all the unscientific ways of trying to predict earthquakes particularly dear to the hearts of Christchurch people who are enduring numerous aftershocks following the earthquake of 4th September 2010. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Damage from the Christchurch 7.1 earthquake on 4th Sept 2010
Damage from the Christchurch 7.1 earthquake on 4th Sept 2010
Damage from the Christchurch 7.1 earthquake on 4th Sept 2010 Church of St. John the Baptist, Latimer Square, Christchurch, New Zealand
Earthquake aerial photo taken by Jude Lathey, 6 September 2010.
Earthquake aerial photo taken by Jude Lathey, 6 September 2010.