View over Christchurch after September 2010 earthquake

The start of the sequence

At 4.35 AM on Saturday the 4th September 2010 an unknown fault near Darfield shook violently. It measured 7.1 on the Richtor scale and was at a depth of 10km. The fault was 40km west of Christchurch in a mostly rural area near Darfield. The violence that emanated from the epicentre was clearly evident in the landscape around the epicentre. It buckled railway lines, unaligned road centre lines, moved trees and opened up the earth.

Damage along Telegraph Road, Darfield.

There was widespread damage to infrastructure and properties, with power outages to more than half of the city. Liquefaction began bubbling up, particularly in Avonside, Bexley, Burwood, New Brighton and Dallington. Liquefaction is where some soil behaves like a liquid during an earthquake and forces itself to the surface as liquid silt. In spite of the damage, we counted ourselves lucky that no one died.

 

Collapsed facade on Victoria Street

Collapsed facade on Victoria Street

The collapsed facade of shops at 179-181 Victoria Street showing the interior of the upper floors. Rubble and debris on street below.
Asko Design 76 Victoria Street

Asko Design 76 Victoria Street

Earthquake damage to building to the Asko Design building at 76 Victoria Street. Rubble, red tape and temporary fencing on street.
Fallen masonry at Knox Presbyterian church

Fallen masonry at Knox Presbyterian church

Fallen masonry outside Knox Presbyterian Church at 28 Bealey Avenue, on the corner of Bealey Avenue and Victoria Street.
Beckenham Shops Demolition

Beckenham Shops Demolition

Fenced off area of shops on Colombo Street between Strickland Street and Tennyson Street intersections. Shops under demolition include Wilhelm Arms & Optics, Beckenham Cycle Centre, Fish & Chips &...
North face of Manchester Courts building

North face of Manchester Courts building

View of damage to Manchester Courts buildings located at 158-160 Manchester Street on corner of Hereford Street.

Buildings that were assessed as unsalvageable were demolished, many of which were brick buildings. This included many suburban shops that were older brick buildings as well as central central city properties.

Demolition of shops, 186-188 Manchester Street

Demolition of shops, 186-188 Manchester Street

Digger outside demolition of shops at 186-188 Manchester Street, behind temporary fencing.
Beckenham Shops Demolition

Beckenham Shops Demolition

Fenced off area of shops on Colombo Street between Strickland Street and Tennyson Street intersections. Shops under demolition include Wilhelm Arms & Optics, Beckenham Cycle Centre, Fish & Chips &...
Westende House demolition

Westende House demolition

Demolition work underway of the original Westende House at 184-188 Manchester Street on the corner of Manchester and Worcester Streets. The Druids Buildings and Greenwich House can be seen behind...