On 14 November 2016 a magnitude Mw 7.8 earthquake struck the upper South Island of New Zealand with effects also being observed in the capital city, Wellington. The affected area has low population density but is the largest wine production region in New Zealand and also hosts the main national highway and railway routes connecting the country’s three largest cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, with Marlborough Port in Picton providing connection between the South and North Islands. These transport facilities sustained substantial earthquake related damage, causing major disruptions. Thousands of landslides and multiple new faults were counted in the area. The winery facilities and a large number of commercial buildings and building components (including brick masonry veneers, historic masonry construction, and chimneys), sustained damage due to the strong vertical and horizontal acceleration. Presented herein are field observations undertaken the day immediately after the earthquake, with the aim to document earthquake damage and assess access to the affected area.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the back of the Ferry Antique Centre on Ferry Road.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the back of the Ferry Antique Centre on Ferry Road.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to Deans farm buildings.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to Deans farm buildings.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to Deans farm buildings.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the factory building at 5 Olliviers Street.
Prestons Road, Christchurch. People queuing for fuel back to Grimseys Road and the Styx Mill Overbridge
Prestons Road, Christchurch. People queuing for fuel back to Grimseys Road and the Styx Mill Overbridge
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Rockfall on Dyers Pass Road".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Rockfall on Dyers Pass Road".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage on Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Road damage to Avonside Drive".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage to Spencerville and Brooklands and cleanup. Drainage manholes along Lower Styx Road were all pushed through the road during the earthquake".
The Transport Agency says initial repairs to State Highways damaged in the Canterbury earthquake could cost up to six million dollars.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Rockfall on Dyers Pass Road".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Rockfall on Dyers Pass Road".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch Earthquake. Damage to shops along Riccarton Road following the September 4th 2010 earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch Earthquake. Damage to shops along Riccarton Road following the September 4th 2010 earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch Earthquake. Damage to shops along Riccarton Road following the September 4th 2010 earthquake".