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Research papers, University of Canterbury Library

A zone of active tectonism occurs in mid and north Canterbury, from the Rakaia to the Waipara Rivers, which coincides with seismicity concentrations and several Quaternary surface anomalies and is here defined as the Porters Pass Tectonic Zone. Although parallel to the Marlborough faults to the north, the lack of regional definition suggests this zone is much younger in its inception reflecting a southward movement of the plate rotation vector. The objectives of this study were to map the structures associated with this zone in the segment between the Rakaia and Waimakariri Rivers with detailed analysis concentrated in the upper Kawai Valley. Quaternary offsets on the main lineament of the Porters Pass Fault were traced through the area and evidence for the rate of movement, probable magnitudes and return periods of related seismic events was sought. The basement was found to be complicated by pre-existing deformation structures in Torlesse Group rocks which have been subsequently been re-activated or rotated by recent fault movement probably beginning in the Pleistocene. This phase is dominantly thrusting and uplift has lead to the erosion of most of the overlying sedimentary cover. Remnants of the Cret-Tertiary sediments still remain as fault-bounded packets. Evidence suggests that a change to development of a regional lateral shear associated with the Porters Pass Tectonic Zone transects the thrust system with complex interaction between the older reverse and new strike-slip faults. Offset rates along the segments of the Porters Pass Fault are not well constrained but are believed to be approximately in the range of 11-13 mm/year for at least the last 130,000 years. This rate is similar to other large faults in the Marlborough region. Two earthquake events have been identified and dated at 600 and 2000 years ago, with a magnitude of greater than 6.5. Evidence suggests characteristic earthquakes along the Porters Pass Fault are greater than Magnitude 7. This result has some major ramifications for the expected seismic hazards for nearby Christchurch.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury enjoying a barbeque lunch break in Burwood Park amongst their wheelbarrows and shovels. The students have volunteered to dig up liquefaction as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury enjoying a barbeque lunch break in Burwood Park amongst their wheelbarrows and shovels. The students have volunteered to dig up liquefaction as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A house on Avonside Drive showing damage from the 4 September 2010 earthquake. Numerous cracks in the masonry can be seen, and several sections of brick have fallen off the walls. The building's porch has also collapsed. A pile of dried liquefaction is visible in the driveway.

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of an interview with stonemason Mark Whyte, about the demolition of the Holy Trinity Church in Avonside. Whyte discusses how the building should have been deconstructed slowly in order to salvage unique heritage material such as stained-glass windows and hand-painted ceilings.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of cracks running through the driveway of a residential property on Glenarm Terrace in Dallington. The cracks have been filled in with stones and planks of wood have been placed over them to allow the residents to continue using the driveway.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of an information sheet used by the Civil Defence during the Christchurch Earthquake Response. The information sheet consists of a map of the original cordon set up in central Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake and a map of the cordon on Sunday 27 March 2011.