Observations on Information Coordination from the EERI Team
On the flip side is the perspective of the local public, looking for information that will enable them to make decisions about protective actions such as evacuation and sheltering. Under the traditional media strategy, information flows slowly, sometimes only two or three times a day. People perceive this as an information dearth just as they […]
Understanding the Past
We took a few hours to look at evidence of the Greendale Fault Rupture from the Darfield September 2010 Mw7.1 Earthquake. While the trace was still visible in many places and kinks in roads and fences where still prominent its expression was slowly fading. The cleared fields that had once clearly shown the trace were […]
Aftershock Sequence
The period prior to 22/2/2011 contained fourteen events of magnitude 5.0 to 5.6 and forty events of magnitude 4.5 to 5.0. Since 22/2/2011 there have been five aftershocks between 5.0 and 6.3 and eighteen between 4.5 and 5.0. Figure 1. Christchurch area aftershock sequence – Sep 2010 – Mar 2011. Christchurch is built […]
Communicating (and Exaggerating?) Risk
Cantabrians have been following the meteorological and seismological predictions of Auckland-based Ken Ring, also known as “the moon-man.” Mr. Ring associates extreme meteorological and geophysical events with king tides and lunar proximity. On this basis Mr. Ring has issued predictions of major aftershocks in Christchurch. Earth-moon distance varies by about 14% on a lunar-cycle and an […]
Heritage Buildings
Figure 1. Montreal and Kilmore. Figure 2. Montreal and Peterborough. Following the 4 September 2010 earthquake, this heritage building had been braced, but it collapsed on 22 February 2011. Figure 3. Wocester and Montreal. Figure 4. Wocester and Montreal. Learning from Earthquakes: […]
Indicator Buildings
The aftershock sequence has contained about 40 events greater than 4.0 and 12 events greater than 4.5 since 22 February. Most of these aftershocks occured at a depth of 2-5 km and within 10 km of the central business district. In order to quickly assess the need for re-inspections, the EOC identified a sample of […]
Building Safety Evaluation
Read the Report: Building Safety Evaluation in a State of Emergency: Guidelines for Territorial Authorities (1.1 MB PDF) The meaning of the red, green, and yellow placards required explanation for some building owners, tenants, and residents. The Christchurch City Council provided extensive information on their earthquake recovery website regarding what the placards mean, and do not mean. Perhaps a lesson from […]
“Grief is the Price We Pay for Love”: The National Christchurch Memorial Service
People began flowing into the park early in the day. As families and friends spread out blankets and cushions to sit on, various local musicians and Maori artists performed musical tributes. Salvation Army and National Welfare volunteers roamed the crowd, handing out tissues in preparation for what everyone knew would be a solemn and tearful […]
A Break in the Wake of the Quake: Family Fun Day
Heather, with the support of her home church in Spreydon, organized a series of “Family Fun Days” in three affected neighborhoods around Christchurch. These events offered families a “break from the quake.” Affected individuals were invited to eat, socialize, and share their earthquake experiences. A drawing table was set up for children (and young-at-heart adults) […]
Researcher Meeting
Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Figure 6. Figure 7. Figure 8. Learning from Earthquakes: First person reports