The February earthquake occurred during lunchtime on a weekday when the CBD was busy, and many buildings were already weakened from the previous quakes. The epicentre was closer to Christchurch, and shallower at 5 kilometres (3 mi) underground, whereas the September quake was measured at 10 kilometres (6 mi) deep. Results of liquefaction the fine washed-up sand solidifies after the water has run offĪlthough smaller in magnitude than the 2010 earthquake, the February earthquake was more damaging and deadly for a number of reasons. 13.2 Scientific and engineering reports.7.1 Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.
5.4 Memorial services and commemorative events.Subsequent population loss saw the Christchurch main urban area temporarily fall behind the Wellington equivalent to decrease from second to third most populous area in New Zealand. While the initial quake only lasted for approximately 10 seconds, the damage was severe because of the location and shallowness of the earthquake's focus in relation to Christchurch as well as previous quake damage. The earthquake was felt across the South Island and parts of the lower and central North Island. Significant liquefaction affected the eastern suburbs, producing around 400,000 tonnes of silt. It caused widespread damage across Christchurch, killing 185 people, in the nation's fifth-deadliest disaster.Ĭhristchurch's central city and eastern suburbs were badly affected, with damage to buildings and infrastructure already weakened by the magnitude 7.1 Canterbury earthquake of 4 September 2010 and its aftershocks. The M w6.2 ( M L6.3) earthquake struck the Canterbury region in the South Island, centred 6.7 kilometres (4.2 mi) south-east of the centre of Christchurch, the country's second-most populous city.
Port Hills near Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealandģ.5 m (11 ft) tsunami waves in the Tasman Lake, following quake-triggered glacier calving from Tasman Glacier Ī major earthquake occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Tuesday 22 February 2011 at 12:51 p.m.