D - Christchurch Earthquakes (Case Study) Flashcards
What is the significance of Christchurch, New Zealand?
Christchurch is New Zealand’s second-largest urban area with a population of 386,000.
When did the 2010 Christchurch earthquake occur and what was its magnitude?
The 2010 earthquake struck the South Island at 4:35 am on 4th September and had a magnitude of 7.1.
How long did aftershocks continue following the 2010 Christchurch earthquake, and what was the magnitude of the strongest aftershock?
Aftershocks continued into 2012, with the strongest being a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in 2011.
Why were there relatively fewer casualties in the 2010 Christchurch earthquake?
Fewer casualties occurred because the quake hit in the early hours of a Saturday when most people were asleep in timber-framed homes, and New Zealand’s high building standards helped minimize damage.
What were the key details of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake?
The February 2011 earthquake had a magnitude of 6.3, struck at 12:51 pm on Tuesday, 22 February 2011, and resulted in severe damage and 185 fatalities.
Where was the epicentre of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake located?
The epicentre was centered 2 km west of the port town of Lyttleton and 10 km southeast of Christchurch’s centre.
What factors made the February 2011 earthquake more damaging and deadly than the 2010 quake?
Despite its smaller magnitude, the 2011 earthquake was more destructive because its epicentre was closer to Christchurch, it was shallower (5 km deep vs. 10 km), it occurred during lunchtime on a busy weekday, many buildings had already been weakened by previous quakes, and significant liquefaction occurred.
What role did liquefaction play in the February 2011 earthquake?
Liquefaction was significantly greater during the 2011 event, causing the upwelling of more than 400,000 tonnes of silt, which contributed to the extensive damage.
Over what time period did the Christchurch earthquake events occur?
The major events occurred from 2010 to 2012, with the main quakes in 2010 and 2011 and aftershocks continuing into 2012.
