Four years ago, on February 22, 2011, the New Zealand city of Christchurch on the South Island was struck by a cataclysmic 6.3M earthquake. The powerful temblor followed a 7.1M quake the previous September, which had caused great damage to the city, but no fatalities. The city had made great strides in rebuilding from the September quake when a deadly disaster of unimaginable scale struck.
Although not as powerful as the September earthquake, the February 2011 quake was a shallow one, only five kilometers beneath the surface of the ground, and the epicenter was far closer to the city of Christchurch. The minutes following the earthquake, the city was shaken to its very core. Practically every building in the city of over 350,000 was damaged, many completely destroyed. Entire neighborhoods were left unlivable. Roads and other critical infrastructure were left in ruins, as liquefaction created oozing rivers of mud, water, sewage and clay running through cracked streets blocked with debris. The revered Christchurch Cathedral, the very symbol of the vibrant city, sustained catastrophic damage. New Zealand's treasured Garden City was in ruins.
Hundreds of people were trapped in collapsed buildings as scenes of chaos and panic swept across the city. Among the devastation, were scenes of courage and determination, as the population of Christchurch- and indeed the whole of New Zealand -came together to cope with a catastrophe of mammoth proportions. The death toll would eventually climb to almost two hundred people, making it one of New Zealand's darkest days. The financial toll of the disaster is almost beyond measure, as is the emotional toll.
Strong and terrifying aftershocks continue to this day following the earthquakes, further traumatizing the remaining residents of Christchurch. Over the past four years, thousands have decided to cut their losses and move elsewhere to start their lives once again in a mass Exodus from Christchurch. Many others, however, have remained, staying resolute to the love they have for their beautiful, stately city.
Although not as powerful as the September earthquake, the February 2011 quake was a shallow one, only five kilometers beneath the surface of the ground, and the epicenter was far closer to the city of Christchurch. The minutes following the earthquake, the city was shaken to its very core. Practically every building in the city of over 350,000 was damaged, many completely destroyed. Entire neighborhoods were left unlivable. Roads and other critical infrastructure were left in ruins, as liquefaction created oozing rivers of mud, water, sewage and clay running through cracked streets blocked with debris. The revered Christchurch Cathedral, the very symbol of the vibrant city, sustained catastrophic damage. New Zealand's treasured Garden City was in ruins.
Hundreds of people were trapped in collapsed buildings as scenes of chaos and panic swept across the city. Among the devastation, were scenes of courage and determination, as the population of Christchurch- and indeed the whole of New Zealand -came together to cope with a catastrophe of mammoth proportions. The death toll would eventually climb to almost two hundred people, making it one of New Zealand's darkest days. The financial toll of the disaster is almost beyond measure, as is the emotional toll.
Strong and terrifying aftershocks continue to this day following the earthquakes, further traumatizing the remaining residents of Christchurch. Over the past four years, thousands have decided to cut their losses and move elsewhere to start their lives once again in a mass Exodus from Christchurch. Many others, however, have remained, staying resolute to the love they have for their beautiful, stately city.
Christchurch continues to deal with the horror and destruction of that dark day four years later. For a heart-breaking record of the Great Christchurch Earthquake, I recommend the documentary When a City Falls (available on YouTube and Hulu Plus), which tells the harrowing story of what happened on that day, and the weeks and months following.
Thoughts and prayers of hope to the citizens of Christchurch, as they continue on the long path to recovery.
Thoughts and prayers of hope to the citizens of Christchurch, as they continue on the long path to recovery.