Two days after the 22 February 2011 M6.3 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, three of the authors conducted a transect of the central city, with the goal of deriving an estimate of building damage levels. Although smaller in magnitude than the M7.1 4 September 2010 Darfield earthquake, the ground accelerations, ground deformation and damage levels in Christchurch central city were more severe in February 2011, and the central city was closed down to the general public. Written and photographic notes of 295 buildings were taken, including construction type, damage level, and whether the building would likely need to be demolished. The results of the transect compared favourably to Civil Defence rapid assessments made over the following month. Now, more than one year and two major aftershocks after the February 2011 earthquake these initial estimates are compared to the current demolition status to provide an updated understanding of the state of central Christchurch.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Provincial Council Chambers".
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Demolition of the Brannigans building. The container is being placed against the end of the building being demolished to protect the building below from falling debris".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Holiday Inn hotel in High Street viewed from the top of the BNZ in Cathedral Square".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Looking along Oxford Terrace with the demolition activity from the Brannigans building demolition in the foreground".
A photograph taken from the top of the BNZ building. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Triangle Chambers on High Street about to be demolished".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The police station viewed from the top of the BNZ building in Cathedral Square".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Ibis hotel on Hereford Street, viewed from the top of the BNZ building in Cathedral Square".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A digger working up high on the Gallery Apartments, drilling holes in the concrete slabs".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A view from the BNZ building in Cathedral Square, looking west".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Demolition debris piled in front of the Brannigans building during the course of its demolition".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Rubble from the demolished Convention Centre on Kilmore Street. In the background, the new Central Library on Peterborough Street can be seen".
Page 2 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Tuesday 29 May 2012.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Provincial Council Chambers".
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Helicopter Flight over Christchurch New Zealand
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The view from the top of Alice in Videoland".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The view from the top of Alice in Videoland".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A digger driver at the Brannigans Building".