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.

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.

Medway Street footbridge

Medway Street footbridge

Medway Street footbridge over the Avon, viewed from River Road. on the day of the Greendale 7.1 quake Part of this bridge can now be seen on the bank on the other side of the river (Avonside)...

Oxford Terrace, seen from Cambridge Terrace

Oxford Terrace, seen from Cambridge Terrace

View of buildings on the corner of Oxford Terrace and Gloucester Street, as seen from Cambridge Terrace.

Corner Westminster Street and Cranford Street

Corner Westminster Street and Cranford Street

Earthquake damaged building on the corner of Cranford Street and Westminster Street.

Parklands Medical Centre

Parklands Medical Centre

Parklands Medical Centre at 401 Mairehau Road.

Earthquake damaged road

Earthquake damaged road

Earthquake damage to an unidentified road leading to a Mobil petrol station.

Cracks and liquefaction

Cracks and liquefaction

Cracks and liquefaction in Salisbury Street footpath.

Liquefaction on Salisbury Street

Liquefaction on Salisbury Street

Liquefaction on footpath and road outside of a house on Salisbury Street.

Cordon on Gloucester Street Bridge

Cordon on Gloucester Street Bridge

A soldier at the cordon on the Gloucester Street bridge and Oxford Terrace.

Interior of 834 Colombo Street

Interior of 834 Colombo Street

Damage to 834 Colombo Street showing the interior of the upper floor.

Toilet at 834 Colombo Street

Toilet at 834 Colombo Street

Damage to 834 Colombo Street showing the interior of the upper floor including the toilet.

Collapsed facade on Victoria Street

Collapsed facade on Victoria Street

The collapsed facade of 179-181 Victoria Street showing the interior of the upper floors.

Central city liquefaction

Central city liquefaction

Liquefaction at an unidentified site in the central city.

Asko Design 76 Victoria Street

Asko Design 76 Victoria Street

Earthquake damage to the Asko Design building at 76 Victoria Street.

Damage to 834 Colombo Street

Damage to 834 Colombo Street

The earthquake damaged northern facade of 834 Colombo Street.

Fallen masonry at church

Fallen masonry at church

Fallen masonry outside Knox Presbyterian Church on the corner of Bealey Avenue and Victoria Street.

The Painted Room

The Painted Room

Earthquake damage to The Painted Room at 803 Colombo Street.

Vaughan Antiques

Vaughan Antiques

Earthquake damage to Vaughan Antiques at 54 Salisbury 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.

Earthquake damage to Provincial Hotel

Earthquake damage to Provincial Hotel

Earthquake damage to Provincial Hotel on the corner of Cashel Street and Barbadoes 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.

92-96 Victoria Street demolition

92-96 Victoria Street demolition

Demolition of building at 92-96 Victoria Street.

186-188 Manchester Street demolition

186-188 Manchester Street demolition

Demolition of 186 and 188 Manchester 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 &...

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...