On 4 September 2010, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Darfield, 40 kilometres west of Christchurch, New Zealand. The quake caused significant damage to land and buildings nearby, with damage extending to Christchurch city. On 22 February 2011, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, causing extensive and significant damage across the city and with the loss of 185 lives. Years on from these events, occasional large aftershocks continue to shake the region. Two main entomological collections were situated within close proximity to the 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes. The Lincoln University Entomology Research Collection, which is housed on the 5th floor of a 7 storey building, was 27.5 km from the 2010 Darfield earthquake epicentre. The Canterbury Museum Entomology Collection, which is housed in the basement of a multi-storeyed heritage building, was 10 km from the 2011 Christchurch earthquake epicentre. We discuss the impacts of the earthquakes on these collections, the causes of the damage to the specimens and facilities, and subsequent efforts that were made to prevent further damage in the event of future seismic events. We also discuss the wider need for preparedness against the risks posed by natural disasters and other catastrophic events.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The McKenzie & Willis building on Tuam Street. The building next door to it has suffered more damage from the 23 December 2011 earthquake".
A photograph of the partially-demolished Westende Jewellers Building on the corner of Manchester and Worcester Streets. The building was severely damaged during the 4 September 2010 earthquake and had to be demolished. In the foreground, an excavator has been parked between the building and a wire fence.
A photograph of the partially-demolished Westende Jewellers Building on the corner of Manchester and Worcester Streets. The building was severely damaged during the 4 September 2010 earthquake and had to be demolished. In the foreground, an excavator has been parked between the building and a wire fence.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to a Stonehurst Accommodation building on Gloucester Street. The bottom storey of the building has collapsed and the top two storeys are resting on the rubble. The closest wall of the building has also collapsed, exposing the rooms inside.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the buildings next to the Canterbury Trade Union Centre on Armagh Street. The front walls of both buildings have collapsed, and bricks spill onto the footpath. Cordon tape and road cones have been placed around the buildings.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to a building on Armagh Street. The walls of the building have crumbled and the bricks have spilt onto the footpath, exposing the wooden structure beneath. Police tape and road cones have been placed around the building as a cordon.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the buildings next to the Canterbury Trade Union Centre on Armagh Street. The front walls of both buildings have collapsed, and bricks spill onto the footpath. Cordon tape and road cones have been placed around the buildings.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to a Stonehurst Accommodation building on Gloucester Street. The bottom storey of the building has collapsed and the top two storeys are resting on the rubble. The closest wall of the building has also collapsed, exposing the rooms inside.
A photograph of earthquake-damaged buildings on Bedford Row. Two 'No Entry' signs stand at the entrance to the street.
A photograph of the badly-damaged building at 128 Manchester Street. Liv Worsnop's Zen Garden installation is in the foreground.
Colour photograph dominated by a damaged Apex Car Rentals, with fallen bricks from exterior of the building on the footpath.
A photograph of Umut Akguzel wearing a high-visibility vest, standing in front of a damaged building in the CBD.
A red sticker on the window of a damaged house. The sticker indicates that the building is unsafe to enter.
A photograph of the badly-damaged building at 128 Manchester Street. Liv Worsnop's Zen Garden installation is in the foreground.
A photograph of damaged buildings in Cashel Mall. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "91-93 Cashel Mall".
A view of Madras Street, looking north towards Latimer Square. Rubble from damaged buildings lines both sides of the street.
Damage to the former Sumner Borough Council building. The brickwork is badly cracked, and sections of the walls have collapsed.
Damaged wall panels on the west side of a building in Cathedral Square have been boarded up from the inside.
A damaged brick building. Walls on two sides of the upper storey have collapsed, but the roof is still standing.
A damaged brick building. Walls on two sides of the upper storey have collapsed, but the roof is still standing.
Damage to the Music Centre of Christchurch. Brickwork has fallen from the gable ends of the building, collapsing the entryway.
Damage to the Music Centre of Christchurch. Brickwork has fallen from the gable ends of the building, collapsing the entryway.
Damage to the Music Centre of Christchurch. Brickwork has fallen from the gable ends of the building, collapsing the entryway.
Damage to the former Sumner Borough Council building. The brickwork is badly cracked, and sections of the walls have collapsed.
A photograph of damaged buildings in Cashel Mall. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "91-93 Cashel Mall".
A photograph of damaged buildings in Cashel Mall. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "91-93 Cashel Mall".
A photograph of damaged buildings in Cashel Mall. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "91-93 Cashel Mall".
A photograph of part of Mike Hewson's installation 'Homage to the Lost Spaces' on the earthquake-damaged Cranmer Courts building.
A photograph of a damaged building on Victoria Street. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Behind the Knox Church".