Semi-empirical models based on in-situ geotechnical tests have become the standard of practice for predicting soil liquefaction. Since the inception of the “simplified” cyclic-stress model in 1971, variants based on various in-situ tests have been developed, including the Cone Penetration Test (CPT). More recently, prediction models based soley on remotely-sensed data were developed. Similar to systems that provide automated content on earthquake impacts, these “geospatial” models aim to predict liquefaction for rapid response and loss estimation using readily-available data. This data includes (i) common ground-motion intensity measures (e.g., PGA), which can either be provided in near-real-time following an earthquake, or predicted for a future event; and (ii) geospatial parameters derived from digital elevation models, which are used to infer characteristics of the subsurface relevent to liquefaction. However, the predictive capabilities of geospatial and geotechnical models have not been directly compared, which could elucidate techniques for improving the geospatial models, and which would provide a baseline for measuring improvements. Accordingly, this study assesses the realtive efficacy of liquefaction models based on geospatial vs. CPT data using 9,908 case-studies from the 2010-2016 Canterbury earthquakes. While the top-performing models are CPT-based, the geospatial models perform relatively well given their simplicity and low cost. Although further research is needed (e.g., to improve upon the performance of current models), the findings of this study suggest that geospatial models have the potential to provide valuable first-order predictions of liquefaction occurence and consequence. Towards this end, performance assessments of geospatial vs. geotechnical models are ongoing for more than 20 additional global earthquakes.
On 22 February 2011, the second day of the first semester, a devastating magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the city of Christchurch forcing the campus of the University of Canterbury to close for several weeks. Here, we report on the sudden curriculum and assessment overhaul that needed to be implemented using two large, first-year introductory courses as case studies. We discuss the reasoning and justifications behind these changes, as well as the logistics of this process. We draw conclusions based on student feedback and assessments and formulate lessons learnt.
A photograph of the earthquake-damaged Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The photograph was taken using a cellphone camera. The top of the tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The rubble from the tower has been cleared and a tarpaulin has been placed over the top of the broken tower. Tyres have been placed on the tarpaulin to hold it down. A temporary roof has also been constructed over the tower to keep out the rain.
A discarded shoe that has been left on the grass beside Cashel Street in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Behind it, emergency personnel can be seen helping themselves to food provided to refuel them while searching for trapped people in the ruins of the Canterbury Television Building.
It is night and a man and his wife are lifting their chemical toilet over the garden fence with the intention of emptying it into the neighbour's longdrop. The man confidently tells his wife to relax as the neighbour hasn't a clue they are planning to do this. The neighbour, meanwhile, sits in the outhouse holding a cricket bat at the ready. Context - toilet problems in Christchurch post earthquake 22 February 2011. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
Text reads '150 great reasons to live in Christchurch'. Someone quotes 'It's only 250 metres to empty your chemical toilet'. An elderly woman trudges through the rain pushing a trolley on which is balanced her chemical toilet. Context - Following the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011 when a great deal of damage was done to the sewage system because of broken pipes thousands of chemical toilets have been distributed but now there seems to be confusion over whether it is safe to use flushing toilets when the sewage system cannot support it or whether residents should still be using chemical toilets. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows Prince William during his visit to New Zealand following the Christchurch earthquake on 22 February. He is sitting in a deckchair at the beach wearing a jersey with Canterbury colours and a paper hat with 'King of NZ' printed on it; he holds a sausage on a stick in one hand and a can of beer in the other and appears to be enjoying himself mightily. On either side of him is a fern. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The title reads 'CBD: High water table, flood/liquefaction risk...' The cartoon shows several Southern Right whales being used to ferry people around Christchurch City. Someone says 'Who needs light rail when you can have right whale!' Context: discussion about building a light rail system as a part of Christchurch post-earthquake development. Context: Several large Southern right whales have found Akaroa Harbour to their liking this week, sticking around rather than heading back south as part of their annual migration back to Antarctica. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The empirical liquefaction triggering chart of Idriss and Boulanger (2008) is compared to direct measurements of the cyclic resistance of Christchurch silty sands via undisturbed and reconstituted lab specimens. Comparisons suggest that overall there is a reasonable agreement between the empirical triggering curve and the interpreted test data. However, the influence of fines on cyclic resistance appears to be over-predicted by the empirical method, particularly for non-plastic silty sands that are commonly encountered in flood over-bank deposits in Christchurch and nearby settlements
A banner listing the 18 people who died in the PGC building collapse.
Page 7 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Saturday 5 May 2012.
Page 2 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Thursday 14 June 2012.
Page 3 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Monday 25 June 2012.
A PDF copy of The Star newspaper, published on Friday 6 July 2012.
A PDF copy of The Star newspaper, published on Wednesday 27 June 2012.
A PDF copy of The Star newspaper, published on Wednesday 11 July 2012.
A PDF copy of The Star newspaper, published on Wednesday 28 November 2012.
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The cartoon shows Christchurch Cathedral shattered and with its steeple gone after the earthquake on 22 February 2011. The words 'The oSCARs' (wordplay on 'Oscars' and 'scars') are in the top left corner and the text 'The worst picture' are in the centre. A second version shows an 'Oscar' statuette with a crown on its head. Context - The Christchurch earthquake 22 February 2011 and the 2011 Oscars - annual film awards. Two versions of this cartoon are available Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Mitchell Brown from the USAR National Management Team farewelling the Taiwanese Search and Rescue Team at the Christchurch International Airport. The team is heading home after helping with the emergency response to the Canterbury Earthquake.
Rob Saunders from the New Zealand Fire Department farewelling the Taiwanese Search and Rescue Team at the Christchurch International Airport. The team is heading home after helping with the emergency response to the Canterbury Earthquake.
A book of condolence in the memorial tent at the Botanic Gardens. The tent was set up for people who wanted to make a tribute to those who lost their lives during the Canterbury earthquakes.
The man who documented the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes with the film 'When A City Falls' says this week's plan for a new Christchurch CBD will forge a new path for the damaged city.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "2010 Canterbury Earthquake. Most houses should be able to be rebuilt on the land they are on. The Crean family at their red-stickered house. From left: Stephen and Nadia Crean".
Mitchell Brown from the USAR National Management Team farewelling the Taiwanese Search and Rescue Team at the Christchurch International Airport. The team is heading home after helping with the emergency response to the Canterbury Earthquake.
Caption reads: "At the moment we’re trying to carry on like everything is normal. It’s not easy. It’s hard sometimes to remember what things were like before the earthquake."