4.4.4
Case Study: Christchurch
Earthquake Case Study - Christchurch, New Zealand
Earthquake Case Study - Christchurch, New Zealand
Two earthquakes hit the city of Christchurch, on New Zealand's south-east coast, in late 2010/early 2011. The second one hit the city centre, killing 185 and destroying much of the CBD.


1st earthquake (4/9/10)
1st earthquake (4/9/10)
- Magnitude 7.1.
- Struck at 4.35am on a Saturday.
- People were asleep and the streets mostly empty.
- Buildings were weakened, which became an issue in the 2nd earthquake.
- More education about earthquake safety was encouraged as a response.
- E.g. 'Turtle safe' - an earthquake safety resource aimed at preschool children which encourages them to act like a turtle during an earthquake.


2nd earthquake (22/2/11) facts
2nd earthquake (22/2/11) facts
- Magnitude 6.3, hit closer to the CBD than the first earthquake.
- Hit at 12.51pm on a Tuesday.
- Thousands of people were out and about at work and school.
- The city centre was busy.
- There were 185 deaths and 1000's of injuries.
- 130 deaths caused by the collapsing of the Canterbury TV and Pyne Gould Corporation buildings.


2nd earthquake damage
2nd earthquake damage
- The Provincial Council Chambers and the Anglican Christchurch Cathedral were completely destroyed.
- Over half of the buildings in the central business district have been (intentionally) demolished since as they were no longer safe, including the Hotel Grand Chancellor.
- Liquefaction sludge moved upwards through cracks in residential streets.
- Water and sewage from broken pipes flooded the streets.
- Several thousand homes in the 'red zone' were demolished because they could no longer be safely inhabited.


2nd earthquake responses
2nd earthquake responses
- State of emergency declared by national government on 23rd February.
- Christchurch's CBD was cordoned off until June 2013 in some locations.
- 75% of power reinstated within 96 hours.
- Local residents and the creative community have been taking over the 'empty spaces' in the CBD with art installations and street art.
1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments
1.1Characteristics of Rivers
1.2River Landforms
1.3Rivers: Opportunities & Hazards
1.4The Bradshaw Model
1.5The Drainage Basin & the Water Cycle
1.6Processes Operating in a Drainage Basin
2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments
2.1Physical Processes that Shape the Coast
2.1.1Processes of Erosion
2.1.2Corrosion & Corrasion
2.1.3Transportation
2.1.4Deposition
2.1.5Longshore Drift
2.1.6Types of Waves
2.1.7Case Study: The Holderness Coast (UK)
2.1.8Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Management
2.1.9Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Defences
2.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Swash & Backwash
2.2Landforms
2.3Opportunities & Hazards
2.4Tropical Storms
2.4.1Tropical Storms
2.4.2Structure of Tropical Storms
2.4.3Causes of Tropical Storms
2.4.4Effects of Tropical Storms
2.4.5Hazards of Tropical Storms
2.4.6Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Effects
2.4.7Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Responses
2.4.8Case Study: Cyclone Nargis - Responses
2.4.9Case Study: Cyclone Nargis
2.4.10Mathematical Skills: Weather Hazards
2.4.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Rainfall
3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems
3.1Antarctic
3.2Threats to the Antarctic
3.3Tropical Rainforest
3.4Tropical Rainforest: Threats
4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards
4.1The Structure of the Earth
4.2The Processes of Earthquakes & Volcanoes
4.2.1Earthquakes: Processes & Characteristics
4.2.2Earthquake Hazards
4.2.3Types of Volcano
4.2.4Classification & Features
4.2.5Volcanic Hazards
4.2.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Lava
4.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location of Volcanoes
4.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Focus vs Epicentre
4.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Sliding Plates
4.3The Impacts of Tectonic Hazards
5Paper 1 - Climate Change
5.1Natural & Human Causes of Climate Change
5.2Impacts of Climate Change
5.3Responses to Climate Change
6Paper 2 - Changing Populations
6.1Populations Grow & Decline
6.2Population Structures Over Time
7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities
7.1Where People Live
7.2Opportunities & Challenges of Urbanisation
8Paper 2 - Development
8.1Measuring Development
8.2Uneven Development
8.3Sustainable Development
9Paper 2 - Changing Economies
9.1Changing Employment Structures
9.2Globalisation
9.3Tourism
9.3.1Factors Leading to the Growth of Tourism
9.3.2The Butler Model
9.3.3Benefits of Tourism - Economic
9.3.4Benefits of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.
9.3.5Problems with Tourism - Economic
9.3.6Problems of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.
9.3.7Managing Tourism - Sustainability & Ecotourism
9.3.8Managing Tourism - Quotas & Tourism Hubs
9.3.9Case Study: Blackpool (UK)
9.3.10Mathematical Skills: Changing Economic World
10Paper 2 - Resource Provision
10.1Food
10.2Patterns of Food Supply & Demand
10.3Challenges of Food Supply
10.4Energy
10.5Patterns of Energy Supply & Demand
Jump to other topics
1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments
1.1Characteristics of Rivers
1.2River Landforms
1.3Rivers: Opportunities & Hazards
1.4The Bradshaw Model
1.5The Drainage Basin & the Water Cycle
1.6Processes Operating in a Drainage Basin
2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments
2.1Physical Processes that Shape the Coast
2.1.1Processes of Erosion
2.1.2Corrosion & Corrasion
2.1.3Transportation
2.1.4Deposition
2.1.5Longshore Drift
2.1.6Types of Waves
2.1.7Case Study: The Holderness Coast (UK)
2.1.8Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Management
2.1.9Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Defences
2.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Swash & Backwash
2.2Landforms
2.3Opportunities & Hazards
2.4Tropical Storms
2.4.1Tropical Storms
2.4.2Structure of Tropical Storms
2.4.3Causes of Tropical Storms
2.4.4Effects of Tropical Storms
2.4.5Hazards of Tropical Storms
2.4.6Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Effects
2.4.7Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Responses
2.4.8Case Study: Cyclone Nargis - Responses
2.4.9Case Study: Cyclone Nargis
2.4.10Mathematical Skills: Weather Hazards
2.4.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Rainfall
3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems
3.1Antarctic
3.2Threats to the Antarctic
3.3Tropical Rainforest
3.4Tropical Rainforest: Threats
4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards
4.1The Structure of the Earth
4.2The Processes of Earthquakes & Volcanoes
4.2.1Earthquakes: Processes & Characteristics
4.2.2Earthquake Hazards
4.2.3Types of Volcano
4.2.4Classification & Features
4.2.5Volcanic Hazards
4.2.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Lava
4.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location of Volcanoes
4.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Focus vs Epicentre
4.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Sliding Plates
4.3The Impacts of Tectonic Hazards
5Paper 1 - Climate Change
5.1Natural & Human Causes of Climate Change
5.2Impacts of Climate Change
5.3Responses to Climate Change
6Paper 2 - Changing Populations
6.1Populations Grow & Decline
6.2Population Structures Over Time
7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities
7.1Where People Live
7.2Opportunities & Challenges of Urbanisation
8Paper 2 - Development
8.1Measuring Development
8.2Uneven Development
8.3Sustainable Development
9Paper 2 - Changing Economies
9.1Changing Employment Structures
9.2Globalisation
9.3Tourism
9.3.1Factors Leading to the Growth of Tourism
9.3.2The Butler Model
9.3.3Benefits of Tourism - Economic
9.3.4Benefits of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.
9.3.5Problems with Tourism - Economic
9.3.6Problems of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.
9.3.7Managing Tourism - Sustainability & Ecotourism
9.3.8Managing Tourism - Quotas & Tourism Hubs
9.3.9Case Study: Blackpool (UK)
9.3.10Mathematical Skills: Changing Economic World
10Paper 2 - Resource Provision
10.1Food
10.2Patterns of Food Supply & Demand
10.3Challenges of Food Supply
10.4Energy
10.5Patterns of Energy Supply & Demand
Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium
Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books