Page 3 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Monday 28 February 2011.
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.
All this is "red zone" after the earthquakes and has to be demolished. The roof of my "old" house (now owned by the government) can be seen between the third and fourth river-side houses.
A photograph of the wall of a street football arena built by Student Volunteer Army volunteers. The wall has a sign attached acknowledging the support of Resene, and is painted with the words, 'Red zone timber'.
At the conclusion of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes more than 5100 homes had been deemed unsafe for habitation. The land and buildings of these were labelled “red zoned” and are too badly damaged for remediation. These homes have been demolished or are destined for demolition. To assist the red zone population to relocate, central government have offered to ‘buy out’ home owners at the Governmental Value (GV) that was last reviewed in 2007. While generous in the economic context at the time, the area affected was the lowest value land and housing in Christchurch and so there is a capital shortfall between the 2007 property value and the cost of relocating to more expensive properties. This shortfall is made worse by increasing present day values since the earthquakes. Red zone residents have had to relocate to the far North and Western extremities of Christchurch, and some chose to move even further to neighbouring towns or cities. The eastern areas and commercial centres close to the red zone are affected as well. They have lost critical mass which has negatively impacted businesses in the catchments of the Red Zone. This thesis aims to repopulate the suburbs most affected by the abandonment of the red zone houses. Because of the relative scarcity of sound building sites in the East and to introduce affordability to these houses, an alternative method of development is required than the existing low density suburban model. Smart medium density design will be tested as an affordable and appropriate means of living. Existing knowledge in this field will be reviewed, an analysis of what East Christchurch’s key characteristics are will occur, and an examination of built works and site investigations will also be conducted. The research finds that at housing densities of 40 units per hectare, the spatial, vehicle, aesthetic needs of East Christchurch can be accommodated. Centralising development is also found to offer better lifestyle choices than the isolated suburbs at the edges of Christchurch, to be more efficient using existing infrastructure, and to place less reliance on cars. Stronger communities are formed from the outset and for a full range of demographics. Eastern affordable housing options are realised and Christchurch’s ever expanding suburban tendencies are addressed. East Christchurch presently displays a gaping scar of devastated houses that ‘The New Eastside’ provides a bandage and a cure for. Displaced and dispossessed Christchurch residents can be re-housed within a new heart for East Christchurch.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Detail of the windows in Alice in Videoland. The building was designed with permanence and strength in mind and the new owner intends the fit out to have the same feel of permanence. His aspiration is to build the best coffee house in the world and the largest in Christchurch".
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the entrance of a driveway on Glenarm Terrace. A large hole in the foreground has had a road cone placed inside it. Other large cracks and liquefaction can bee seen. A man in overalls has parked his van next to the damage.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Avon River is at this point on Avonside Drive 10 km from the estuary. At high tide the river now overflows its banks showing that the ground has sunk by about 40 cm".
A large hole surrounded by liquefaction silt in the garden of a house in Bexley. The photographer comments, "This was most probably the serious hole I saw today. Can you imagine that when this occurred the whole area would have been inches deep in brown water. You would not been able to tell what you were walking on. Back in February a little girl rode her bike into one of these and had to be rescued by a passer by".
A digitally manipulated photograph of a building on Poplar Lane. The photographer comments, "I felt that this building had a real Italian feel about it. It is actually in Christchurch, New Zealand. It appears on the list to be partially demolished after the Christchurch earthquake, so it might not be around for much longer".
An old advertising sign exposed by the demolition of an adjoining building. The photographer comments, "'Protect your investment. Paint your property regularly - and save money. Polson's decorators and sign writers.' The building that was adjacent to this one was demolished after the Christchurch earthquake and revealed this fabulous old wall sign.
CERA site which allows a check of the status of residental property in greater Christchurch in the aftermath of the series of major earthquakes and aftershocks which began in September 2010. Also has information about the zone classifications and FAQs.
A photograph of two workers beginning the clean-up and evacuation of a flat on Poplar Street during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Latimer Square and Radio Networks House (under demolition). IRD building top left and Pacific Tower centre right".
A photograph of a van parked on High Street which has been packed with items from the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph of workers loading a trailer with items salvaged from people's homes during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph of two workers loading a truck with items from people's homes during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph captioned by Elizabeth Ackerman, "Brandon, Elizabeth and Danica". The photograph was taken during the Residential Access Project which gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee holding a jackhammer on Kingsford Street in Burwood, as part of the opening of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT).
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee handling a jackhammer on Kingsford Street in Burwood, as part of the opening of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT).
Students from the University of Canterbury enjoying a barbeque lunch break amongst shovels and gumboots. The students have volunteered to dig up liquefaction as part of the Student Volunteer Army.
A photograph of a bike, a canvas and damaged mirror in a flat on Poplar Street taken during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph of a trailer loaded with items from the Residential Access Project being driven down High Street. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A story submitted by Lin to the QuakeStories website.
A dock by the riverbank walkway alongside New Brighton Road which has been closed off to the public. The area has flooded at high tide due to ground subsidence".
A photograph of workers loading a trailer with items salvaged from people's homes during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A PDF copy of page 128 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The page documents the transitional project 'Redzone Data'.
A photograph of one side of the house at 432 Oxford Terrace. The hedges in front have begun to overgrow and weeds are growing in between the concrete pavers.
A photograph of an excavator demolishing Siobhan Murphy's house at 436 Oxford Terrace. Wire fencing has been placed around the house as a cordon.
A photograph of an excavator demolishing Siobhan Murphy's house at 436 Oxford Terrace. Wire fencing has been placed around the house as a cordon.