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2011 Christchurch earthquake

Coordinates: 43°36′S 172°43′E / 43.60°S 172.71°E / -43.60; 172.71
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2011 Canterbury earthquake
2011 Christchurch earthquake is located in New Zealand
2011 Christchurch earthquake
UTC time??
Magnitude6.3 Mw[1]
Depth5 km
Epicenter43°36′S 172°43′E / 43.60°S 172.71°E / -43.60; 172.71 Canterbury, New Zealand
Areas affected New Zealand
CasualtiesAt least 65 dead[2]
hundreds injured

The 2011 Canterbury earthquake was a 6.3 magnitude earthquake[1] which struck the South Island of New Zealand at 12:51 pm (local time) on 22 February 2011 (23:51 21 February UTC).[1][3] The quake caused widespread damage and multiple fatalities in Christchurch, New Zealand's second largest city. It was the largest aftershock of the 4 September 2010 Canterbury earthquake, but was also an earthquake in its own right. Although a smaller magnitude than the original earthquake, it was more damaging because it was closer to Christchurch and shallower, and buildings were already weakened from the previous quakes. The intensity felt in Christchurch was MM VIII.[4]

Prime Minister John Key has confirmed the current death toll is 65[5], and has said that February 22 "may well be New Zealand's darkest day".[6]

Geological background

In the first 80 years of European settlement in Christchurch (1850–1930), four earthquakes caused significant damage, the last of them occurring in 1922 at Motunau.

Aftershocks

There have been a series of aftershocks ranging from 3.4 to 5.5 magnitude.[7][8]

Casualties, damage and other effects

Witnesses have reported that buildings have collapsed around Cathedral Square in downtown Christchurch. Christchurch Cathedral has lost the top of its main spire and its roof has caved in.[9][10] (photos) Initial reports say people were in the spire at the time of the collapse.[11]

Sixty-five people are confirmed dead and the number is expected to rise,[12] and many are injured and trapped in buildings according to the New Zealand Fire Service.[13] The Pyne Gould Corporation building on Cambridge Tce has suffered extensive damage (photo), and some of the building's two hundred workers are believed to be trapped within. Screams have been heard from inside.[14] At 5pm local time National Radio reported that power is out to 80% of the city. It is expected that the State of Emergency Level 3 the highest possible in a regional disaster will last at least five days. Medical staff from the army are being deployed.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that two buses and a number of cars were crushed by falling debris.[15]

Bodies have been removed from the YHA hostel.[16]

Street lights were reported to be shaking as far north as Pukekohe and Waiuku just south of Auckland[citation needed] and as far south as Invercargill, where the 111 emergency network has been downed.[17]

A large fire is burning at the CTV building and a number of rescues are taking place within the CBD, which has sustained severe damage.

Notable Buildings

Effects In Christchurch

Christchurch International Airport.

Christchurch Hospital was evacuated due to damage in some areas,[18] but has now reopened to treat the injured. The New Zealand defence forces have been called in to assist in evacuating the central business district.[19] Christchurch International Airport has been closed to all but emergency air traffic.[20] The earthquake has affected all air traffic in New Zealand, and air traffic control services by Airways New Zealand, the national Air Traffic Control organisation, have been disrupted.[21]

Emergency response and relief efforts

New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, stated that "All Civil Defence procedures have now been activated, the [Civil Defence bunker at Parliament] is in operation here in Wellington."[22]

Civil Defence has alerted all Urban Search and Rescue teams in Christchurch.

Australia has offered assistance, and Australia's Attorney-General Robert McClelland says a search and rescue team of 70 from New South Wales is aboard a defence plane on its way to Christchurch.[23] Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd also said a second team from South Australia will be sent in the coming hours along with other equipment and personnel.

The United States and Japan have also offered assistance. [24]

Media Coverage

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "New Zealand Earthquake Report - Feb 22 2011 at 12:51 pm (NZDT)". GeoNet. Earthquake Commission and GNS Science. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Chch quake: 65 confirmed dead". 22 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  3. ^ M6.3 – South Island of New Zealand, USGS
  4. ^ http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/events/us/b0001igm/us/index.html
  5. ^ One News TV broadcast of TVNZ on 2011-02-22, 18:00 NZT
  6. ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4688231/65-dead-in-devastating-Christchurch-quake Accessed 22 February 2011 6:49 PM NZT
  7. ^ http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3468631g.html
  8. ^ http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3468635g.html
  9. ^ "Large quake strikes Christchurch". Dominion Post. 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  10. ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708016
  11. ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4688671/Christchurch-quake-Running-report
  12. ^ "Deaths, destruction in Christchurch quake - stuff.co.nz". 22 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  13. ^ "Huge earthquake hits Christchurch city centre". Radio New Zealand News. 22 February 2011.
  14. ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10707997
  15. ^ http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/deaths-reported-as-major-quake-hits-nz-20110222-1b36m.html
  16. ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4688671/Christchurch-quake-Running-report
  17. ^ "Emergency 111 system knocked out in Southland". Radio New Zealand News. 22 February 2011.
  18. ^ Radio New Zealand, monitored 8:55 pm EST
  19. ^ "Live updates: 6.3 earthquake rocks Christchurch, New Zealand". News Limited. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  20. ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/4688231/Large-quake-strikes-Christchurch
  21. ^ New Zealand airspace closed: flights diverted, planes circling, Australian Business Traveller
  22. ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708003
  23. ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10707997
  24. ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4688568/Significant-Christchurch-hotels-collapsed-Carter Accessed 6:06 PM NZT

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