
Liquefaction features and the geologic environment in which they formed were carefully studied at two sites near Lincoln in southwest Christchurch. We undertook geomorphic mapping, excavated trenches, and obtained hand cores in areas with surficial evidence for liquefaction and areas where no surficial evidence for liquefaction was present at two sites (Hardwick and Marchand). The liquefaction features identified include (1) sand blows (singular and aligned along linear fissures), (2) blisters or injections of subhorizontal dikes into the topsoil, (3) dikes related to the blows and blisters, and (4) a collapse structure. The spatial distribution of these surface liquefaction features correlates strongly with the ridges of scroll bars in meander settings. In addition, we discovered paleoliquefaction features, including several dikes and a sand blow, in excavations at the sites of modern liquefaction. The paleoliquefaction event at the Hardwick site is dated at A.D. 908-1336, and the one at the Marchand site is dated at A.D. 1017-1840 (95% confidence intervals of probability density functions obtained by Bayesian analysis). If both events are the same, given proximity of the sites, the time of the event is A.D. 1019-1337. If they are not, the one at the Marchand site could have been much younger. Taking into account a preliminary liquefaction-triggering threshold of equivalent peak ground acceleration for an Mw 7.5 event (PGA7:5) of 0:07g, existing magnitude-bounded relations for paleoliquefaction, and the timing of the paleoearthquakes and the potential PGA7:5 estimated for regional faults, we propose that the Porters Pass fault, Alpine fault, or the subduction zone faults are the most likely sources that could have triggered liquefaction at the study sites. There are other nearby regional faults that may have been the source, but there is no paleoseismic data with which to make the temporal link.
The New Zealand Shipping Federation says the government needs to take the resilience of ports seriously as the Kaikoura earthquake has shown the vulnerability of roading - and consider what their role is when auditing them. Annabel Young is the Executive Director of the NZ Shipping Federation. Canterbury University Professor of Geological Sciences Tim Davies, says improving and increasing the transport network through coastal shipping is essential.
"The nuclear meltdown at Fukushima ... the Fonterra botulism scare ... the Christchurch earthquakes – in all these recent crises the role played by scientists has been under the spotlight. What is the first duty of scientists in a crisis – to the government, to their employer, or to the wider public desperate for information? And what if these different objectives clash? In this penetrating BWB Text, leading scientist Shaun Hendy finds that in New Zealand, the public obligation of the scientist is often far from clear and that there have been many disturbing instances of scientists being silenced. Experts who have information the public seeks, he finds, have been prevented from speaking out. His own experiences have led him to conclude that New Zealanders have few scientific institutions that feel secure enough to criticise the government of the day." - Publisher information. http://librarysearch.auckland.ac.nz/UOA2_A:Combined_Local:uoa_alma21259423940002091
The new Cabinet is reportedly considering a rebuild plan for the Christchurch Cathedral, damaged in the 2011 earthquake. Supporters of restoring the cathedral say the signs are promising.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has experienced her fair share of earthquakes as a resident, MP and then Mayor. She joins Checkpoint.
The EQC says it has enough staff and money in the kitty to respond to the latest earthquakes, despite still having work to do in Christchurch - five years after on.
Farmers in North Canterbury say the earthquake is another blow to a region which has battled drought and volatile lamb and dairy markets
Beverly Forrester farms near Harden which is down the road from Hanmer Springs. Road damage means she's cut off from the outside world, apart from her phone Beverly was caught up in the Christchurch earthquake, so the events of the last 24hrs have been quite trying for her.
The High Court has said 40 Christchurch homeowners wanting to take a class action against earthquake insurer Southern Response can move forward with their claim.
The founders of a post-quake farmers market in Christchurch have taken the idea to Kaikoura, and has set up shop in the earthquake hit town.
Firms can expect to pay more and wait longer to get goods delivered to their door following the North Canterbury earthquakes.
Two Kaikoura residents have been airlifted to Christchurch for medical treatment following the earthquake. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says health services are managing.
Those repairing an earthquake damaged cliff in Christchurch have had to wrangle with home owners who don't want to sell, and relocating a rare flightless moth. Rachel Graham reports.
An investigation is continuing into the CTV site, where 115 people died in the Christchurch earthquake five years ago. Dr Maan Alkaisi, whose wife died in the collapse, is keeping a close eye on developments as engineers examine the site.
A backpackers with pod-styled units has opened near Christchurch Airport as the city continues to struggle with budget accommodation following the 2011 earthquake.
Christchurch's tourism sector is poised for a strong rebound five years after the Canterbury earthquakes, but tourist operators and leaders say there is still work to do.
Christchurch's earthquake rebuild authority, Regenerate Christchurch, has released a new report setting out a timeline for what to do with the land - but angry residents are calling for action.
The number of emergency psychiatric assessments in Christchurch has more than doubled since the earthquakes struck.
A new report has heavily criticised how the Ministry of Education handled the post-earthquake Christchurch school reshuffle nearly four years ago.
Christchurch council has asked its residents to tell it if earthquake repairs haven't been done so it can accurately assess their property's value.
Karen Brown reports from Chch, where there seems to be no end in sight for the mental health problems caused by the earthquakes
After being largely shut off to the public since the earthquakes, Christchurch's iconic Arts Centre is set to reopen its Great Hall to the public tonight.
Worries about the mental health impacts of the Canterbury earthquakes dominated a fiery meeting at Parliament today.
A world class centre for music and the arts has opened in Christchurch, after The Music Centre of Christchurch was damaged beyond repair in the 2011 earthquakes.
The agency in charge of fixing earthquake damaged pipes and roads in Christchurch was last night issued an excessive noise notice after keeping residents awake in the early hours.
The orange road cone has become a symbol of Christchurch since the earthquakes. Now two men and a trailer have the job of retrieving the hundreds of cones that have gone missing over the past six years.
Repair work on Christchurch's iconic Town Hall, badly damaged in the earthquakes, has nearly hit the halfway mark.
A class action taken by 40 Canterbury earthquake claimants against Southern Response heads to court tomorrow.
Forty Christchurch homeowners have headed back to court, as they seek to take a class action against earthquake insurer Southern Response.
Belinda McCammon tracks progress in Christchurch 5 years after the earthquake that killed 185 people