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Although the 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake registered 6.3 on the Richter scale the damage caused was very great. The main reason was the peak ground acceleration (PGA) exceeded 1.8g's ( 1 g is equal to the acceleration due to gravity or 9.8 meters per second squared ). This PGA is extremely high and very rare and would cause many cities in the world to be completely leveled. Other reasons the quake caused so much damage where the depth of the epicenter was only 3 miles, the land displacement was approximately 50cm ( after the quake subsided ) and there where probably seismic waves rebounding back into the city having been reflected off the basaltic Port Hills outside the city.
The 2011 Christchurch earthquake was so damaging due to its shallow depth and proximity to the city center. The earthquake also occurred on a previously unknown fault line, catching residents and infrastructure unprepared for the intensity of the shaking. Additionally, the city's older buildings were particularly vulnerable to the lateral forces generated by the quake, leading to widespread destruction.
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How many aftershocks did Christchurch have?
The Christchurch earthquake of 2011 had over 13,000 aftershocks.
Was the Christchurch earthquake a deep earthquake or not?
The earthquake in Christchurch, NZ on the 22nd of February, 2011 was located just 4 or 5km underground. To put this in perspective, the quake in September, located near Christchurch was twice the depth, 10km below ground. So although the quake may have been 6.3 on the Richter Scale, it was a lot shallower than the one in September (7.3 on the Richter Scale), did a lot more damage and took many, many more lives. Hope this helps.
How many times more powerful was the Japan earthquake than the Christchurch earthquake?
The 2010 Christchurch earthquake was of magnitude 7.1. The 2011 Christchurch earthquake was of magnitude 6.3. The 2011 Japan earthquake was of magnitude 9.0. The formula for comparing the energy released by two earthquakes using the moment magnitude scale (which is what I assume those numbers are in, since it's the most common scale for large earthquakes) is D=103*(m1 - m2)/2 So compared to the more recent Christchurch earthquake, we get that the Japan earthquake was about 103*(9.0-6.3)/2 = 103*2.7/2 = 104.05 which we can tell even without actually doing the calculations is a bit over 10,000 times more powerful in terms of total energy released. (this does not, however, mean 10,000 times more damage).
Why was the christchurch earthquake in christchurch?
The Christchurch earthquake occurred in Christchurch because the city is located near the boundary of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, known as the Alpine Fault. The movement of these plates resulted in the seismic activity that caused the earthquake.
What caused the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 and why was it so deadly?
The 2011 Chrischurch earthquake was caused by movement of the Oceanic Plate and the Antarctic Plate. New Zealand is very prone to earthquakes because of its position on the edge of the two plates which makes it easy for this country to be a victim of such events. It was so deadly because it occured so close to New Zealands second biggest city. Many earthquakes happen where there are few people living there but earthquakes such as the one in Japan this year, and obviously the Christchurch earthquake are situated in the city where more people are living and therefore more people die. This is why it was so deadly. :)
How many aftershocks did Christchurch have?
The Christchurch earthquake of 2011 had over 13,000 aftershocks.
What was the cause of the 2011 earthquake at Christchurch?
A previously unknown fault activated. Alarmingly so, for ground acceleration exceeded 2g in some sites! Have a crack at Christchurch Earthquake in wikipedia, which has a good summary of events.
Was the 2011 Christchurch earthquake felt in Wellington?
If you're referring to the 2011 Canterbury earthquake, it was felt as far south as Invercargill and as far north as Tauranga. So yes, I'm sure it was felt in Wellington although no major damage has been done outside of the Christchurch/Lyttelton area.
Was the Christchurch earthquake a deep earthquake or not?
The earthquake in Christchurch, NZ on the 22nd of February, 2011 was located just 4 or 5km underground. To put this in perspective, the quake in September, located near Christchurch was twice the depth, 10km below ground. So although the quake may have been 6.3 on the Richter Scale, it was a lot shallower than the one in September (7.3 on the Richter Scale), did a lot more damage and took many, many more lives. Hope this helps.
How many times more powerful was the Japan earthquake than the Christchurch earthquake?
The 2010 Christchurch earthquake was of magnitude 7.1. The 2011 Christchurch earthquake was of magnitude 6.3. The 2011 Japan earthquake was of magnitude 9.0. The formula for comparing the energy released by two earthquakes using the moment magnitude scale (which is what I assume those numbers are in, since it's the most common scale for large earthquakes) is D=103*(m1 - m2)/2 So compared to the more recent Christchurch earthquake, we get that the Japan earthquake was about 103*(9.0-6.3)/2 = 103*2.7/2 = 104.05 which we can tell even without actually doing the calculations is a bit over 10,000 times more powerful in terms of total energy released. (this does not, however, mean 10,000 times more damage).
Where did the New Zealand earthquake happen?
New Zealand sits on a fault line, so earthquakes are relatively frequent. The devastating earthquake in February 2011 affected Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region at the southern end of the South Island. The epicentre occurred at Lyttelton, a small town on the harbour not far from Christchurch.
Why was the christchurch earthquake in christchurch?
The Christchurch earthquake occurred in Christchurch because the city is located near the boundary of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, known as the Alpine Fault. The movement of these plates resulted in the seismic activity that caused the earthquake.
What caused the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 and why was it so deadly?
The 2011 Chrischurch earthquake was caused by movement of the Oceanic Plate and the Antarctic Plate. New Zealand is very prone to earthquakes because of its position on the edge of the two plates which makes it easy for this country to be a victim of such events. It was so deadly because it occured so close to New Zealands second biggest city. Many earthquakes happen where there are few people living there but earthquakes such as the one in Japan this year, and obviously the Christchurch earthquake are situated in the city where more people are living and therefore more people die. This is why it was so deadly. :)
Why was The Christchurch earthquake such a bad one?
The Christchurch earthquake in 2011 was particularly devastating due to its location near a densely populated city, shallow depth, and the fact that it occurred on a previously unknown fault line. The combination of these factors led to widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive economic damage.
Why did so many people die in the February 2011 New Zealand earthquake?
It was midday, so many people were out and about in the business center of Christchurch. The earthquake epicenter was very close to the surface, only five kilometers under Christchurch, so buildings were more seriously shaken. Most people were killed in a couple of big buildings, the CTV Building and the Pyne Gould Corporation Building where people were working through lunch.
Was it true that an earthquake occurred at chistchurch December 25 2010?
It is false because one just happened in chistcurch on February 19 2011. So, no one did not happen on December 25, 2010 in christchurch.
Why did liquefaction cause so much damage in some areas of the Christchurch earthquake?
Liquefaction occurred in some areas of Christchurch during the 2011 earthquake due to the loose, water-saturated soil in those locations. When the ground shakes violently during an earthquake, the water-saturated soil loses its strength and behaves like a liquid, causing buildings, roads, and utility services to sink or tilt, resulting in extensive damage.
