Christchurch earthquake 2011

Question 1

Causes and characteristics

Answer 1

September 2010- Greendale fault ruptured a M7.1 magnitude

22nd Feb 2011- M6.3 triggered quake, major aftershock

Although weaker, the 2011 earthquake caused more damage as it struck closer to the main built up area of Christchurch

Question 2

Physical factors that increased the risk of damage

Answer 2

Epicentre close to Christchurch (10km SE)

5km deep focus

Christchurch is built on alluvial sediment which is unstable during earthquake and enabled liquefaction

Struck at lunch time

Question 3

Human factors that increased the risk of damage

Answer 3

Densely population

GDP per capita $41,000- wealthy, building codes in place, all buildings checked for compliance with codes

Question 4

Effects

Answer 4

185 people died
About 10,000 buildings needed to be demolished
50% central city buildings severely damaged
Water pipes, bridges, powelines damaged
Significant liquefaction
Population decline
80% of the water and sewerage system severely damaged
Damage to roads made it difficult for emergency services
Estimated to take New Zealand economy 50 to 100 years to completely recover

Question 5

Responses

Answer 5

The government immediately activated its national crisis management centre

Rescue teams from all over the world came to help

Electricity was restless to 75% of the city within 3 days

Australia gave $5 million in aid

Government provided temporary housing p

CBD corned off for more than 2 years

Question 6

Tectonic Setting

Answer 6

New Zealand is a highly tectonically active country

Conservative boundary- fault line between the Indo Australian and Pacific plates