Big Earth Quake Sept 4 2011

Some Geography

The land in the “English Culture & Volcano Zone” came from river gravels from the eroding (& uplifting) Southern Alps. There are areas of  fine sands laid in some pockets. As the the English settlement grew  the areas of soft mud and fine sands were developed and today these places sustained most damage (I guess about 8% of the city). When the quake hit in a few places mud spouted like geysers out of the ground covering yards (up to a metre deep in some places). Crevasses and mounds materialised in seconds.

The fault that let go had not moved for 16,000 years and geologists did not know where it was.

Swing into action

The first message was to check your neighbours and clean up the chaotic mess inside their homes. No water, over flowing sewage pipes continuing large after shocks and no power added to the distressed. Some people could not get out of their bent houses.  Civil defence set up safe areas for the traumatised and homeless. A state of emergency was declared. The CBD was closed to stop all but essential services. Over the first two days the power people restored electricity to 90% of the city and the water people set about repairing the water pipes.

Authorities visited the worst affected buildings assessing the degree of safety and placing notices on each: “Safe”  “Restricted Use”  & Unsafe”  Diggers and drain layers began digging and replacing the pipes while pumps and generators provided the essential services to the distraught residents. Sewers were kept clear by tank cleaning teams.  

In the CBD about a dozen obviously unsafe buildings and those that had collapsed are being cleared away.  Four were currently being pulled down at the time I was there. About 10 cranes were in the CBD streets lifting assessors and repairers on to various buildings to carry out their jobs. 

All schools and universities were closed.  University students set up volunteer teams and were out with shovels and wheelbarrows helping residents clear the liquefaction deposits and bricks from private homes.

The Buildings

In the CBD it seemed to me about half of the few pre 1920 buildings were badly damaged and declared for “restricted access only”.  Steel “bandages” are being placed on a number of buildings that are damaged but probably saveable. 

Most newer buildings in the CBD and the earthquake strengthened heritage buildings did not suffer irreparable damage. 90% of businesses are now operating again.

After shocks

These exceeded 500; most over 3.  About 15% over 4 and a few over 5 on the Rtr scale. They are frightening to many and disrupt sleep. Stories are copious.

Things are repairing very fast, people are working together, unknown neighbours are now friends, and the pockets of the city most badly hit will be back to normal soon despite the continuing shakes.