2010 Canterbury earthquake facts for kids
| UTC time | 2010-09-03 16:35:46 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 15155483 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 4 September 2010 |
| Local time | 04:35 NZST |
| Magnitude | 7.1 Mw |
| Depth | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Epicenter | 43°33′S 172°11′E / 43.55°S 172.18°E near Darfield, Canterbury |
| Areas affected | New Zealand |
| Max. intensity | X (Extreme) |
| Peak acceleration | 1.26 g |
| Aftershocks | ~17,600 (as of early August 2016) |
| Casualties | 2 seriously injured, approximately 100 total injuries |
The 2010 Canterbury earthquake was a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake, which struck the South Island of New Zealand at 4:35 am September 4, 2010 local time (16:35 3 September UTC). It was centred 40 km west of Christchurch, near the town of Darfield, at a depth of 10 km. Strong aftershocks were reported, including ones of magnitude 5.3. The main quake was felt widely across the South Island, and in the North Island as far north as New Plymouth.
It caused a lot of damage and cut off power and water supply, mainly in the city of Christchurch. Two people were seriously injured. The quake caused damage to historic buildings in Lyttelton, near Christchurch, including a church and parts of a hotel. Businesses in the city centre were closed the day of the quake. The total cost of damages may be as high as NZ$2 billion.
A state of emergency was declared by Civil Defence for Christchurch and the Selwyn District.
Geological background
New Zealand sits on the boundary between the Australian and Pacific plates. In the South Island, these plates mainly slide past each other horizontally, producing earthquakes along fault lines such as the Alpine fault. The 2010 earthquake was centred about 80–90 km to the southeast of the plate boundary through the island, probably on one of a network of smaller faults linked to the main faults that mark the plate boundary itself.
Images for kids
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Seismic hazard near the epicentre
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Major fault zones in New Zealand, with the plate boundary and relative motion of the Pacific Plate shown
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Medway footbridge over the Avon River
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Building damage in Worcester Street, corner Manchester Street, with Christchurch Cathedral in the background
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Central Kaiapoi suffered major damage; many of the town's buildings had to be bulldozed as a result of the 2010 earthquake and subsequent quake in February 2011.
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The facade of the Repertory Theatre was extensively damaged
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View of the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church after the 2010 Canterbury earthquake, with props holding the frontage up (It was later destroyed in the 22 February aftershock).
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Storm drain emerges from a road in Brooklands
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Christchurch de 2010 para niños
