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Questions and Answers
What was the magnitude of the September 4, 2010 earthquake near Christchurch, New Zealand?
What was the magnitude of the September 4, 2010 earthquake near Christchurch, New Zealand?
7.0 to 7.1
Where was the epicentre of the September 4, 2010 earthquake located?
Where was the epicentre of the September 4, 2010 earthquake located?
Approximately 25 miles (40 km) west of Christchurch near the town of Darfield
What type of faulting caused the February 22, 2011 aftershock?
What type of faulting caused the February 22, 2011 aftershock?
Oblique thrust faulting
How deep was the focus of the February 22, 2011 aftershock?
How deep was the focus of the February 22, 2011 aftershock?
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What is the name of the fault that was discovered as a result of the September 4, 2010 earthquake?
What is the name of the fault that was discovered as a result of the September 4, 2010 earthquake?
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What was the result of the soil liquefaction in Christchurch?
What was the result of the soil liquefaction in Christchurch?
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What was the magnitude of the two large tremors that struck Christchurch on June 13, 2011?
What was the magnitude of the two large tremors that struck Christchurch on June 13, 2011?
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What was the location of the epicentres of the two large tremors on June 13, 2011?
What was the location of the epicentres of the two large tremors on June 13, 2011?
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What was the estimated number of people who had died in the quake by the time it was established?
What was the estimated number of people who had died in the quake by the time it was established?
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What was the name of the building that was razed almost entirely in the city centre?
What was the name of the building that was razed almost entirely in the city centre?
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Study Notes
The Christchurch Earthquakes of 2010-11
- A series of earthquakes occurred in and around Christchurch, New Zealand, and the Canterbury Plains region from September 2010 to December 2011.
- The principal event, also known as the Darfield earthquake, struck on September 4, 2010, with a magnitude of 7.0-7.1.
- The epicentre was located 25 miles west of Christchurch, near the town of Darfield, and the focus was 6 miles beneath the surface.
- The earthquake was caused by right-lateral movement along a previously unknown regional strike-slip fault, later named the Greendale Fault.
The Aftershocks
- Thousands of smaller aftershocks occurred in the months that followed the principal event.
- The severest aftershock occurred on February 22, 2011, with a magnitude of 6.3.
- The February 22 aftershock was generated by oblique thrust faulting along a different, undiscovered fault.
- The focus of the aftershock was relatively shallow, only 3 miles beneath the surface of Heathcote Valley, a suburb of Christchurch.
Damage and Casualties
- The February 22 aftershock resulted in substantial shaking, surface cracking, and liquefaction in the city and surrounding area.
- More than 180 people died in the quake, many of whom were killed outright as structures collapsed and debris fell in the streets.
- The Canterbury Television (CTV) building in the city centre was razed almost entirely, with an estimated 100 or more people inside at the time of the quake.
Other Events
- Two large tremors struck the Christchurch metropolitan area on June 13, 2011, with moment magnitudes of 5.6 and 6.3.
- The June 13 events were located farther east of the known extent of the Greendale Fault and appeared to have been generated by strike-slip faulting.
- A series of shallow marine tremors ranging from magnitude 4.0 to 6.0 shook the Christchurch area on December 23, 2011.
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Description
Series of tremors that occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand, from 2010 to 2011. The quakes caused significant damage and loss of life. Understanding the Christchurch earthquakes is crucial for geological and disaster management studies.
