Christchurch and Canterbury earthquakes 2010 and 2011
Christchurch and surrounding areas have experienced three major earthquakes since the intitial 7.1 magnitude earthquake on 4 September 2010. The earthquakes have had a devastating effect on the central city and the people of Christchurch and surrounding areas. Recovery efforts are ongoing.
Telling your story
Christchurch City Libraries will care for your earthquake stories. Use this form or add your material to the Canterbury Earthquake Kete.
Saturday 4 September 2010
4:35am (NZ time), magnitude 7.1. Centred 40km west of Christchurch. Epicentre near Charing Cross, 10km south-east of Darfield.
Widespread damage occured, but no loss of life. Disruption to water, power and sewerage services.
Tuesday 22 February 2011
12:51pm (NZ time), magnitude 6.3. Centred 10km south-east of Christchurch at a depth of 5km.
181 people were killed and there was major damage to Christchurch land, buildings and infrastructure.
Monday 13 June 2011
2:20pm (NZ time), magnitude 6.3. Centred 10km south-east of Christchurch at a depth of 6km.
Further building and land damage (liquefaction).
Earthquake information
Earthquake information videos
- Dr Jan Kupec (CERA chief geotechnical engineer) explains liquefaction in Christchurch
See also videos about rockfalls and sinkholes. - Tonkin and Taylor land damage presentations
Technical briefing for the residential land zone decisions, presented on Thursday 23 June 2011.
- Canterbury Quakes
- Information from Geonet about the Canterbury Quakes. (Geonet is a collaboration between the Earthquake Commission and GNS Science)
- Canterbury Quake Live
- Live earthquake details from Christchurch. Maps, comparisons etc.
- Dr Mark Quigley
- Senior Lecturer in Active Tectonics and Geomorphology in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Canterbury. Contains articles on the Canterbury quakes.
- Recent Canterbury Earthquakes
- Information from the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Canterbury.
- Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission
- Currently investigating the causes of building failure as a result of the quakes, the legal and best-practice requirements for buildings in New Zealand CBDs. Contains technical reports.
- Key information on 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes
- Page answers questions about the Christchurch and Canterbury earthquakes. From Environment Canterbury.
Media and web coverage
- Stuff.co.nz — rolling coverage
- Radio New Zealand
- New Zealand Herald regularly updated
- Read more newspaper coverage in Press Display Use at a library or enter your library card & PIN
Browse the resources in our libraries
- Canterbury earthquake 2010
- Christchurch earthquake 2011
- New Zealand earthquakes
- About Earthquakes
- Local newspaper articles about earthquakes
Historical earthquakes
Canterbury’s most severe earthquake prior to these occurred on September 1, 1888 about 100km north of Christchurch in the Amuri district. It is recorded as a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, but reached magnitude 9 at its epicentre. Extensive vertical and horizontal ground movement caused considerable damage to buildings and land. The quake badly damaged the spire of the Cathedral as well as buildings throughout Christchurch.
Christ Church Cathedral was damaged by three quakes during its construction – 1881, 1888 and 1901.
