Christchurch Earthquake Case Study

Key Statistics
An earthquake occurred in Christchurch on 22 February 2011 at 12:51 p.m. local time and
registered 6.3 on the Richter scale. The earthquake struck the Canterbury Region in New
Zealand's South Island and was centred 2 kilometres west of the port town of Lyttelton, and
10 kilometres south-east of the centre of Christchurch. The earthquake caused damage
across Christchurch and killed 185 people.

Why did it happen

The Pacific plate is moving roughly west at about 40mm a year relative to the Australian and
the movement caused the two plates to collide. After enough tension was built up, one slips
over the other and releasing the tension, causing earthquake between the boundary, as a
result of an “oblique-reverse” fault.

Short term impact

185 people from more than 20 countries died. The collapse of the six-storey Canterbury
Television Building caused over half of the deaths. Between 6600 and 6800 people were
treated for minor injuries. Lots of buildings were collapsed or on the verge of collapsing
across Christchurch. From central city to suburbs. 80% of Christchurch was without power.
Water and wastewater service were disrupted throughout the city.

Short term response and emergency relief effort

Authorities urged residents to conserve water and collect rainwater. Civil defence
procedures have been activated. A composite “Christchurch Response Centre” was
established in the Christchurch Art Gallery, an earthquake-resilient building in the centre of
the city which had only sustained minor damage. A Central City Red Zone was established
on the day of the earthquake as a public exclusion zone in the Christchurch central business
district. The New Zealand Fire Service along with Urban Search and Rescue teams from
different countries coordinated search and rescue. They also responded to fires and serious
structural damage reports. The Christchurch Hospital provided medical service and treated
231 patients within the first hour of the earthquake.

Long term impact

Business were put out of action for long periods causing losses of income and jobs. Some
school had to share classrooms because of the damage to other school buildings.
Liquefaction damaged the roads and made it difficult for people and emergency service to
move around. Some people were mentally affected by the earthquake and needed support.
Christchurch could no longer host Rugby World Cup matches and tourism was declined,
economy was badly hit.
Long term responses
The government paid $898 million in building claims. Water and sewerage were restored for
all residents by August. Roads and houses were cleared of slit from liquefaction by August.
80% of the roads and 50% of the footpaths were repaired. Temporary housing was provided
and all damaged housing was kept water tight

Another earthquake occurred in Christchurch on 14 February 2016 at 1:13 p.m. local time
and recorded as 5.7 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was not handled quite well as
there was a confusion at Northlands Mall as police encouraged some shopkeepers to
evacuate, but the alarm was not sounded as is otherwise done when the mall is to be
cleared. Some shopkeepers were told by mall management staff that there would be
financial penalties if they did not keep their shop open.