This study contains an evaluation of the seismic hazard associated with the Springbank Fault, a blind structure discovered in 1998 close to Christchurch. The assessment of the seismic hazard is approached as a deterministic process in which it is necessary to establish: 1) fault characteristics; 2) the maximum earthquake that the fault is capable of producing and 3) ground motions estimations. Due to the blind nature of the fault, conventional techniques used to establish the basic fault characteristics for seismic hazard assessments could not be applied. Alternative methods are used including global positioning system (GPS) surveys, morphometric analyses along rivers, shallow seismic reflection surveys and computer modelling. These were supplemented by using multiple empirical equations relating fault attributes to earthquake magnitude, and attenuation relationships to estimate ground motions in the near-fault zone. The analyses indicated that the Springbank Fault is a reverse structure located approximately 30 km to the northwest of Christchurch, along a strike length of approximately 16 km between the Eyre and Ashley River. The fault does not reach the surface, buy it is associated with a broad anticline whose maximum topographic expression offers close to the mid-length of the fault. Two other reverse faults, the Eyrewell and Sefton Faults, are inferred in the study area. These faults, together with the Springbank and Hororata Faults and interpreted as part of a sys of trust/reverse faults propagating from a decollement located at mid-crustal depths of approximately 14 km beneath the Canterbury Plains Within this fault system, the Springbank Fault is considered to behave in a seismically independent way, with a fault slip rate of ~0.2 mm/yr, and the capacity of producing a reverse-slip earthquake of moment magnitude ~6.4, with an earthquake recurrence of 3,000 years. An earthquake of the above characteristics represents a significant seismic hazard for various urban centres in the near-fault zone including Christchurch, Rangiora, Oxford, Amberley, Kaiapoi, Darfield, Rollestion and Cust. Estimated peak ground accelerations for these towns range between 0.14 g to 0.5 g.
To Canterbury now where the recent earthquakes have reignited interest in civil defence. Katy Gosset drops in on a major training exercise where there's no shortage of fresh blood.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Have faith. Vicar Jenni Carter and congregation member Dee Innes say the earthquake-damaged St John's Church will be rebuilt, despite a $5 million estimate".
A report commissioned by the Ministry of Health has found Canterbury residents are unlikely to suffer any health risks from asbestos exposure during the canterbury earthquake repairs. The Report is a review of Scientific Evidence of Non Occuptional Risks - and was convened by the Royal Society and the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor. Sir David Skegg, president of the Royal Society of New Zealand and Dr Alistair Humphrey, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health.
A photograph of a laminated image tied to the fencing around Cathedral Square. The image depicts the ChristChurch Cathedral as it looked before the Canterbury earthquakes.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Canterbury A&P show president John Grigg's Hororata farm was badly damaged in the earthquake. The end of his grandmother's 1970 Holden Premier".
A Christchurch catering company has joined forces with the City Mission to tackle what is being described as a new era of poverty after the Canterbury earthquakes.
A lack of building inspections and the engineers to carry them out has come under further scrutiny at the Royal Commission of inquiry into the Canterbury earthquakes.
EQC's manager for the Canterbury home repair programme, Reid Stiven, respondes to claims of misleading estimates of damage to household foundations from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.
As for the demolition of the building, The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority deconstruction manager, Warwick Isaacs, says while it will be managed carefully, it is still risky.
Joseph Romanos discusses the potential impact of the Canterbury earthquake on the Rugby World Cup and Ross Taylor's innings in the Cricket World Cup match against Pakistan.
People in the Canterbury town of Kaiapoi say they are determined to preserve their community despite learning yesterday hundreds of earthquake-damaged homes will have to go.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority says it could step into the property market to stop land prices sky-rocketing but is confident it won't have to.
New Zealand's strict building codes are being praised for minimising the injuries and damage caused by the seven-point one magnitude earthquake that shook Canterbury on Saturday.
How long does it take to form a first impression of someone, speeding cops, Bob Parker's profile and the Canterbury earthquake, and the latest on Pike River.
The insurance company, Tower, has strongly criticised the time it's taking to settle Canterbury earthquake claims and says the insurance system for handling such disasters is broken.
The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission has heard the property manager of the Pyne Gould building did not organise detailed engineering assessments after the first quake in September.
An experienced builder says he couldn't wait to get out of the Canterbury Television Building after seeing how damaged it was in the September 2010 earthquake.
One of the Christchurch suburbs badly hit in the Canterbury earthquakes is being rebranded as the Sydenham Quarter - a future haven for artists, artisans and industrialists alike.
Three years after the earthquakes robbed Christchurch of its chance to host England during the Rugby World Cup, the tourists finally made it onto a Canterbury field.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers, Siena Childs, 13, left, Sam Butcher, 13, Jess Butcher, 18, and Alex Summerlee, 18, clean up in Avonside Drive following Canterbury's earthquake".
The former Earthquake Recovery Minister's decision to exclude uninsured Canterbury landowners under the Recovery Plan was unlawful, the Court of Appeal has ruled in an interim judgement.
There's been a strong earthquake in Canterbury just after 9am. We speak to Scott Shannon, deputy mayor of Timaru and a John, a Pleasant Point resident.
One metal backed plastic sign, circa 1970s, for Cokers Hotel, Manchester Street, Christchurch detailing hotel services and featuring a map of the central city. The Cokers Hotel was located in central Christchurch at 52 Manchester Street. First licensed by John Etherdan (Jack) Coker in 1867, in 1890 the lease was taken over by Captain Popham, wh...
One landscape colour digital photograph taken on 28 April 2012 looking south from Cunningham Terrace, Lyttelton. The foreground of the photograph shows a blue temporary water supply pipe and markings spray painted on the footpath in preparation for repair work. The fence has a home made sign painted with the Fulton Hogan (FH) logo satirized to ...
One landscape colour digital photograph taken on 28 April 2012 showing a painting representing Nero fiddling while Rome burnt. The painting was executed on a large curved concrete block of a temporary retaining wall in Cunningham Terrace, Lyttelton. Artist The retaining walls above and below Cunningham Terrace were severely damaged by the 22 Feb...
One landscape colour digital photograph taken on 28 April 2012 looking south from Cunningham Terrace, Lyttelton. The photograph shows a homemade figure of Humpty Dumpty with a bandaged head sitting on a fence on top of a retaining wall awaiting repair. Contractor involved in repair work The retaining walls above and below Cunningham Terrace wer...
Tents set up in the Arts car park at the University of Canterbury after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The tents were used as temporary lecture rooms while the buildings were being checked for damage.
Tents set up in the Arts car park at the University of Canterbury after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The tents were used as temporary lecture rooms while the buildings were being checked for damage.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Canterbury Provincial Chambers. The top section of the building has crumbled, taking the scaffolding with it. Wire fencing has been placed around the building as a cordon.