Geology of Christchurch, New Zealand

Brown, L. J.; Beetham, R. D.; Paterson, B. R.; Weeber, J. H.

doi:10.2113/gseegeosci.i.4.427

Cited by 57 publications

(73 citation statements)

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“…The resulting 'trimmed' fault therefore has dimensions of 15 km along-strike and 8km down-dip, giving a total area of 120km 2 . Christchurch is located on the Canterbury plains, a fan deposit resulting from the numerous rivers flowing eastward from the foothills of the Southern Alps [8]. In the vicinity of Christchurch, the Canterbury plains are comprised of a complex sequence of gravels interbedded with silt, clay, peat, and shelly sands.…”

Section: Tectonic and Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the vicinity of Christchurch, the Canterbury plains are comprised of a complex sequence of gravels interbedded with silt, clay, peat, and shelly sands. The fine sediments form aquicludes and aquitards between the gravel aquifers, and with the nearby coastline to the east, result in the majority of Christchurch having a water table less than 5 m depth, with the majority of the area including, and to the east of, the central business district having a water table less than 1 m from the surface [8].…”

Section: Tectonic and Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The postglacial 'Christchurch formation' created by estuarine, lagoonal, dune, and coastal swamp deposits (containing gravel, sand, silt, clay, shell and peat) is the predominant surface geology layer in the Christchurch area which outcrops up to 11 km west of the coast and has a depth of approximately 40 km along the coast itself [8]. At the southeast edge of Christchurch lies the extinct Banks Peninsula volcanic complex.…”

Section: Tectonic and Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given the observed spatial extent of liquefaction in the Darfield earthquake [19], in which the majority of this western region was unaffected by liquefaction, despite been subjected to generally stronger shaking than the eastern regions (where liquefaction was prevalent), it can be logically concluded that the character and in-situ state of the soils are the predominant reason for the absence of liquefaction in the western Christchurch region [8].…”

Section: Evidence Of Liquefactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Near-source Strong Ground Motions Observed in the 22 February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake

Bradley

Cubrinovski

2011

Seismological Research Letters

216

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SUMMARYThis manuscript provides a critical examination of the ground motions recorded in the near-source region resulting from the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Particular attention is given to reconciling the observed spatial distribution of ground motions in terms of physical phenomena related to source, path and site effects. The large number of near-source observed strong ground motions show clear evidence of: forward-directivity, basin generated surface waves, liquefaction and other significant nonlinear site response. The pseudo-acceleration response spectra (SA) amplitudes and significant duration of strong motions agree well with empirical prediction models, except at long vibration periods where the influence of basin-generated surface waves and nonlinear site response are significant and not adequately accounted for in empirical SA models. Pseudo-acceleration response spectra are also compared with those observed in the 4 September 2010 Darfield earthquake and routine design response spectra used in order to emphasise the amplitude of ground shaking and elucidate the importance of local geotechnical characteristics on surface ground motions. The characteristics of the observed vertical component accelerations are shown to be strongly dependent on source-to-site distance and are comparable with those from the 4 September 2010 Darfield earthquake, implying the large amplitudes observed are simply a result of many observations at close distances rather than a peculiar source effect.

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Section: Tectonic and Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Tectonic and Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Tectonic and Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Evidence Of Liquefactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Near-source Strong Ground Motions Observed in the 22 February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake

Bradley

Cubrinovski

2011

Seismological Research Letters

216

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“…Much of Christchurch and its environs was originally swampland, beach dune sand, estuaries, and lagoons that were drained as part of European settlement starting in the 1850s (Brown et al, 1995). Consequently, the near-surface soil stratigraphy is characterized by inter-bedded, loose Holocene aged silt, sand, and gravel that are highly susceptible to liquefaction (ECan, 2004).…”

Section: Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geotechnical Aspects of the Mw 6.2 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand, Earthquake

Green

Cubrinovski²,

Bradley³

et al. 2012

GeoCongress 2012

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The 22 February 2011, M w 6.2 Christchurch earthquake is the most costly earthquake to affect New Zealand, causing an estimated 181 fatalities and severely damaging thousands of residential and commercial buildings. This paper presents a summary of some of the observations made by the NSF-sponsored GEER Team regarding the geotechnical/geologic aspects of this earthquake. The Team focused on documenting the occurrence and severity of liquefaction and lateral spreading, performance of building and bridge foundations, buried pipelines and levees, and significant rockfalls and landslides. Liquefaction was pervasive and caused extensive damage to residential properties, water and wastewater networks, high-rise buildings, and bridges. Entire neighborhoods subsided, resulting in flooding that caused further damage. Additionally, liquefaction and lateral spreading resulted in damage to bridges and to stretches of levees along the Waimakariri and Kaiapoi Rivers. Rockfalls and landslides in the Port Hills damaged several homes and caused several fatalities.

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