Moratorium on Social Science Research
Enquiries were made about the activities of the social scientist traveling with EERI LFE. Following conversations with those concerned (David Johnstone (GNS) and Sarah Beaven (University of Canterbury)) the social science research statement was revised from recommending delaying social scientist visits to recognizing that social scientists are embedded in the EERI LFE team for the […]
Updates from the EERI Team
The EERI team is in the EOC waiting for assignment to inspection teams (pictures below). It is important to know that all the engineers on our team have all volunteered 3-6 days each. We have done our reconnaissance as part of these inspection teams, and this is the only way that anyone had access to […]
Earthquake Impacts to Rockfall Risk Management
Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. The volcanic rocks in this area are comprised of basaltic and trachytic lavas with interbedded breccias creating a blocky mass. On the ~500m slopes above the coastal road recent rockfall (up to 5m x 3m […]
Observations on Nonstructural Damage by the EERI Team
This earthquake has provided textbook examples of non-structural damage in concrete office and commercial buildings in the Central Business District (CBD). Figure 1. Offices. Figure 2. Sprinkler pipes broken by ceiling systems dumped water in to offices. Figure 3. Pipes broken. Figure […]
Observations on Business Resilience from the EERI Reconnaissance Team
A staged and controlled re-entry process was set up to allow property and building owners to retrieve critical items (e.g. computers and business essentials) from safe (yellow and green placarded) buildings. On subsequent re-entries during the third week, owners were going into clean up. The owner of Switch Expresso shared that he and family members […]
Photos of Ground Failure from the EERI Team
Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Learning from Earthquakes: First person reports
Observations on Social Media from the EERI Team
Armed with a “digital pick axe” these international volunteers work selflessly to monitor social media, crowdsource data, and develop useful applications for on the ground responders. They coordinate virtually around the clock and interface with official responders to identify data sources that can be mapped, translated, spread sheeted, and made into useful and actionable intelligence. […]
Observations on Social Media and Christchurch Emergency Communication from the EERI Team
Thoughtful observers who also endured that harrowing event found that local community members were turning to online social networks to organize volunteer efforts, post critical information, and communicate about the aftermath of the earthquake. The quick study from a few public information officers working for the CCC served as the impetus for the social media […]
Observations on University of Canterbury Student Association Communications
The man responding to every single comment is a twenty-something guy named Ryan. In his spare time he runs an online comedic site, similar to The Onion in the U.S. He brings levity and spirit to his work at the UCSA Facebook site as he interprets official University communications for students, bringing news to them […]
Observations on Sanitation from the EERI Team
There are differences in port-a-loos, I have learned. There is the deluxe version that can be found on the University Campus. These have flush systems, running water for hand washing and even a little mirror in the door. The next step down may be the regular port-a-loos that can be found on street corners throughout […]