Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A memorial on the Avon riverbank between the Hereford and Cashel Street bridges".
The Avon and Heathcote Rivers, located in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, are lowland spring-fed rivers linked with the Christchurch Groundwater System. At present, the flow paths and recharge sources to the Christchurch Groundwater System are not fully understood. Study of both the Avon and Heathcote Rivers can provide greater insight into this system. In addition, during the period 2010-2012, Christchurch has experienced large amounts of seismic activity, including a devastating Mw 6.2 aftershock on February 22nd, 2011, which caused widespread damage and loss of life. Associated with these earthquakes was the release of large amounts of water through liquefaction and temporary springs throughout the city. This provided a unique opportunity to study groundwater surface water interactions following a large scale seismic event. Presented herein is the first major geochemical study on the Avon and Heathcote Rivers and the hydrological impact of the February 22, 2011 Christchurch Earthquake. The Avon, Heathcote, and Waimakariri Rivers were sampled in quarterly periods starting in July 2011 and analyzed for stable Isotopes δ¹⁸O, δD, and δ¹³C and major anion composition. In addition, post -earthquake samples were collected over the days immediately following the February 22, 2011 earthquake and analyzed for stable isotopes δ¹⁸O and δD and major anion composition. A variety of analytical methods were used identify the source of the waters in the Avon-Heathcote System and evaluate the effectiveness of stable isotopes as geochemical tracers in the Christchurch Groundwater System. The results of this thesis found that the waters from the Avon and Heathcote Rivers are geochemically the same, originating from groundwater, and exhibit a strong tidal influence within 5km of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary. The surface waters released following the February 22nd, 2011 earthquake were indistinguishable from quarterly samples taken from the Avon and Heathcote Rivers when comparing stable isotopic composition. The anion data suggests the waters released following the February 22nd, 2011 Christchurch Earthquake were sourced primarily from shallow groundwater, and also suggests a presence of urban sewage at some sites. Attempts to estimate recharge sources for the Avon-Heathcote Rivers using published models for the Christchurch Groundwater System yielded results that were not consistent between models. In evaluating the use of geochemical constituents as tracers in the Christchurch Groundwater System, no one isotope could provide a clear resolution, but when used in conjunction, δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, and DIC, seem to be the most effective tracers. Sample sizes for δ¹³C were too small for a robust evaluation. Variability on the Waimakariri River appears to be greater than previously estimated, which could have significant impacts on geochemical models for the Christchurch Groundwater System. This research demonstrates the value of using multiple geochemical constituents to enrich our understanding of the groundwater surfaces-water interactions and the Christchurch Groundwater System as a whole.
An aerial photograph looking over Porritt Park.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Mona Vale".
Cracks in the land next to the Avon River in Bexley. Anzac Drive bridge can be seen in the background.
Construction equipment parked on the former site of the Oxford on Avon, seen through the cordon fencing around Victoria Square.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Extensive slumping and cracking near where Horseshoe Lake joins up with the Avon River".
View over the Avon River through some trees. Our City O-Tautahi and the Claredon Tower can be partially seen.
A photograph of a fallen tree branch beside the Avon River. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Central city".
A worker inside a digger, building a new bridge over the Avon river from University Drive to the Recreation Centre.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Extensive slumping and cracking near where Horseshoe Lake joins up with the Avon River".
A worker inside a digger, building a new bridge over the Avon river from University Drive to the Recreation Centre.
A damaged structure on Oxford Terrace next to the Avon River has been given a yellow notice, meaning restricted access.
One Month after the Christchurch Earthquake. The mangled remains of the pedestrian bridge over the river Avon Twitter | Facebook | My ...
One Month after the Christchurch Earthquake. The mangled remains of the pedestrian bridge over the river Avon Twitter | Facebook | My ...
More repairs to the infrastructure as a result of the 2010 & 2011 earthquakes. Boat ramp at New Brighton. Avon River.
More repairs to the infrastructure as a result of the 2010 & 2011 earthquakes. Boat ramp at New Brighton. Avon River.
- The Avon-Ōtākaro Redzone is an 11 kilometer stretch of land along the Avon-Ōtākaro River in Christchurch. - This project focused on the creation of a publicly available biodiversity map of the AvonŌtākaro River Corridor, a project undertaken as part of the ecological restoration of the Christchurch redzone. - This project originated from the Christchurch 2010-2011 earthquake sequence which saw liquefaction damage along 11km of the Avon River. Under guidance from The Nature Lab & Ōtākaro Living Laboratory, and various other experts, the primary research objective was to map historical biodiversity, identify hotspots, and assess areas for potential revegetation. - The data collected came from historical black maps, current iNaturalist data, and soil classification information. - The findings show that, pre-colonialism, the area was composed of herbaceous areas, wetlands, native shrubland, and tussock land, with key plants such as river, fern, tutu, and cabbage trees. - The post-earthquake analysis shows a transition from a residential area to patchy grasslands and swampy areas. - The findings also showed a strong relationship between historic sites and soil classifications, providing knowledge for past and future vegetation patterns and spread. - This map will be a valuable resource for conservation efforts and public engagement as the area transitions into a blue-green corridor.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Avonside Drive".
A close-up photograph of a floating installation titled The River on the Avon River. The installation consists of four chairs and a table situated on a grass-covered platform, with net curtains hanging from the frame. It was created by students from Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture for Canterbury Tales, a carnivalesque procession and the main event of FESTA 2013.
A photograph of one of several painted bird cut-outs hanging from a tree next to the Avon River on Oxford Terrace, near the Worcester Street bridge. The decorations were part of an installation titled The River, created by students from Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture for Canterbury Tales, a carnivalesque procession and the main event of FESTA 2013.
A photograph of a floating installation titled The River on the Avon River. The installation consists of two armchairs, a table and a floor lamp situated on a grass-covered platform, with net curtains hanging from the frame. It was created by students from Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture for Canterbury Tales, a carnivalesque procession and the main event of FESTA 2013.
A photograph of a floating installation titled The River on the Avon River. The installation consists of two armchairs, a table and a floor lamp situated on a grass-covered platform, with net curtains hanging from the frame. It was created by students from Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture for Canterbury Tales, a carnivalesque procession and the main event of FESTA 2013.
A photograph of a floating installation titled The River on the Avon River. The installation consists of two armchairs, a table and a floor lamp situated on a grass-covered platform, with net curtains hanging from the frame. It was created by students from Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture for Canterbury Tales, a carnivalesque procession and the main event of FESTA 2013.
A photograph of a floating installation titled The River on the Avon River. The installation consists of two armchairs, a table and a floor lamp situated on a grass-covered platform, with net curtains hanging from the frame. It was created by students from Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture for Canterbury Tales, a carnivalesque procession and the main event of FESTA 2013.
A photograph of a floating installation titled The River on the Avon River. The installation consists of a floor lamp, dresser and stool situated on a grass-covered platform, with net curtains hanging from the frame. It was created by students from Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture for Canterbury Tales, a carnivalesque procession and the main event of FESTA 2013.
A photograph of a floating installation on the Avon River as part of Canterbury Tales. The installation consists of a floor lamp, dresser and stool situated on a grass-covered platform, with net curtains hanging from the frame. It was created by students from Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture for Canterbury Tales, a carnivalesque procession and the main event of FESTA 2013.
A photograph of a floating installation titled The River on the Avon River. The installation consists of two chairs, a lamp and a table, situated on a grass-covered platform, with net curtains hanging from the frame. It was created by students from Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture for Canterbury Tales, a carnivalesque procession and the main event of FESTA 2013.