
A photograph of liquefaction on a residential property on Jean Batten Place in the Horseshoe Lake district.
A photograph of the remains of a liquefaction blister on a farm near River Road in Lincoln.
Cracks in the road and liquefaction at the intersection of Rich Street and Raven Quay in Kaiapoi.
The Canterbury earthquake sequence in New Zealand’s South Island induced widespread liquefaction phenomena across the Christchurch urban area on four occasions (4 Sept 2010; 22 Feb; 13 June; 23 Dec 2011), that resulted in widespread ejection of silt and fine sand. This impacted transport networks as well as infiltrated and contaminated the damaged storm water system, making rapid clean-up an immediate post-earthquake priority. In some places the ejecta was contaminated by raw sewage and was readily remobilised in dry windy conditions, creating a long-term health risk to the population. Thousands of residential properties were inundated with liquefaction ejecta, however residents typically lacked the capacity (time or resources) to clean-up without external assistance. The liquefaction silt clean-up response was co-ordinated by the Christchurch City Council and executed by a network of contractors and volunteer groups, including the ‘Farmy-Army’ and the ‘Student-Army’. The duration of clean-up time of residential properties and the road network was approximately 2 months for each of the 3 main liquefaction inducing earthquakes; despite each event producing different volumes of ejecta. Preliminary cost estimates indicate total clean-up costs will be over NZ$25 million. Over 500,000 tonnes of ejecta has been stockpiled at Burwood landfill since the beginning of the Canterbury earthquakes sequence. The liquefaction clean-up experience in Christchurch following the 2010-2011 earthquake sequence has emerged as a valuable case study to support further analysis and research on the coordination, management and costs of large volume deposition of fine grained sediment in urban areas.
The objective of this study is to examine the influence of near-fault motions on liquefaction triggering in Christchurch and neighboring towns during the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence (CES). The CES began with the 4 September 2010, Mw7.1 Darfield earthquake and included up to ten events that triggered liquefaction. However, most notably, widespread liquefaction was induced by the Darfield earthquake and the Mw6.2, 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Of particular relevance to this study is the forward directivity effects that were prevalent in the motions recorded during the Darfield earthquake, and to a much lesser extent, during the Christchurch earthquake. A 2D variant of the Richart-Newmark fatigue theory was used to compute the equivalent number of cycles (neq) for the ground motions, where volumetric strain was used as the damage metric. This study is unique because it considers the contribution and phasing of both the fault-normal and fault-parallel components of motion on neq and the magnitude scaling factor (MSF). It was found that when the fault-normal and fault-parallel motions were treated individually, the former yielded a lower neq than the latter. Additionally, when the combined effects of fault-normal and fault-parallel components were considered, it was found that the MSF were higher than those commonly used. This implies that motions containing near-fault effects are less demanding on the soil than motions that do not. This may be one of several factors that resulted in less severe liquefaction occurring during the Darfield earthquake than the Christchurch earthquake.
A small boy is being a real entrepreneur after the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011 and has set up a road-side stall from which you can buy a bag of 'real leakyfakshun'. Behind him is a pile of liquefaction and a spade with which he can fill bags. Context - the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February has caused vastly more liquefaction than the original 4th September earthquake. The vibrations from the quake cause liquefaction which is where the soil loses strength and stiffness, and behaves more like a liquid than a solid - rather like wet sand. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
A photograph of a block of earthquake-damaged rooms at Stonehurst Accommodation on Gloucester Street. The bottom storey of the block has collapsed and the remaining rooms are now resting on an incline. The front walls of these rooms have also collapsed and the rubble has spilled in to the courtyard in front. Cordon tape has been draped across the courtyard in front of the rubble. To the left there is a car parked amongst the rubble.
Workers repairing power lines on Settlers Crescent in Ferrymead. Liquefaction silt can be seen on the road surface.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Liquefaction in Sydenham Park".
A view down Gloucester Street, near Woodham Road. Piles of liquefaction silt and road cones line the road.
Ferry Road in Ferry Road. Liquefaction silt has been partly cleared from the road, but many traces remain.
A loader scraping liquefaction silt into a large pile in the car park of the Ferrymead Veterinary Clinic.
An aerial photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Porritt Park in Wainoni, where liquefaction is very evident still".
Liquefaction silt and broken paving in front of the floral clock in Victoria Square, seen through cordon fencing.
Flooding and liquefaction on Geraldine Street in St Albans. The photographer comments, "Geraldine St and Edward Ave corner".
Liquefaction dug out of properties and piled on the streets in Avonside after the September 4th earthquake.
A damaged car pulled from the liquefaction it had been embedded in after falling into a sink hole.
A damaged car pulled from the liquefaction it had been embedded in after falling into a sink hole.
A loader scraping liquefaction silt into a large pile in the car park of the Ferrymead Veterinary Clinic.
Liquefaction and damage to tiles in front of a store in Kaiapo, after the September 4th earthquake.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Liquefaction in New Brighton Road. Gumboots are essential for the photographer".
A map showing the extent of liquefaction caused by the 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011 earthquakes.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Day after the earthquake that rocked Christchurch. Liquefaction in a backyard at Kairaki Beach".
Footprints in liquefaction silt on the side of a residential street. The photographer comments, "Silt has accumulated everywhere".
Silt from liquefaction outside the Merivale Mall. A pile of carpet pieces sit in front of the mall.
Members of the Student Volunteer Army helping themselves to free snacks inside the UCSA's "Big Top" tent. The tent was erected to provide support for students at the University of Canterbury in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The volunteers have returned from a day of clearing liquefaction from Christchurch properties.
Volunteers dispensing energy drinks, soft drinks and snacks inside the UCSA's "Big Top" tent. The tent was erected in the UCSA car park to provide support for students in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The students have spent the day clearing liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.
Trucks and diggers build large piles of liquefaction silt. One pile has been covered with plastic sheeting, weighted down with tyres. In the foreground can be seen the Bromley sewage treatment ponds. The photographer comments, "Looking NW from the causeway through the sewage wetlands. Mountains of liquefaction silt are being piled up near the corner of Breezes Rd and SH74-Anzac Drive".
Trucks and diggers build large piles of liquefaction silt. One pile has been covered with plastic sheeting, weighted down with tyres. In the foreground can be seen the Bromley sewage treatment ponds. The photographer comments, "Looking NW from the causeway through the sewage wetlands. Mountains of liquefaction silt are being piled up near the corner of Breezes Rd and SH74-Anzac Drive".
A photograph of the Ferrymead bridge.