What was the cause of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake?

What was the cause of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake?

The earthquake’s epicentre was located some 25 miles (40 km) west of Christchurch near the town of Darfield, and the focus was located about 6 miles (10 km) beneath the surface. It was caused by right-lateral movement along a previously unknown regional strike-slip fault in the western section of the Canterbury Plains.

How deep was the focus of the Christchurch Earthquake 2011?

5km
On 22 February 2011, at 12:51 pm, Christchurch was struck by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake. The quake was centred 10km south-east of the city at a depth of 5km.

How did the Christchurch earthquake change the earth’s surface?

The Canterbury earthquakes caused a significant change to the natural environment, including liquefaction, lateral spread near waterways, land level changes, and numerous rockfalls and landslides. Air and water quality were also impacted, with water-based recreational activities halted until November 2011.

Which 2 tectonic plates does New Zealand sit on?

New Zealand lies at the edge of both the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates. To the northeast of New Zealand, and underneath North Island, the Pacific Plate is moving towards, and being subducted below the Australian Plate.

How long did the 2011 Christchurch earthquake last?

approximately 10 seconds
While the initial quake only lasted for approximately 10 seconds, the damage was severe because of the location and shallowness of the earthquake’s focus in relation to Christchurch as well as previous quake damage….2011 Christchurch earthquake.

How many people died in the Christchurch earthquake 2011?

The 2011 Christchurch earthquake On Tuesday 22 February 2011 at 12.51 p.m. Christchurch was badly damaged by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, which killed 185 people and injured several thousand. The earthquake epicentre was near Lyttelton, just 10 kilometres south-east of Christchurch’s central business district.

What happened on 22 February 2011 in Christchurch?

Dust clouds above central Christchurch, 22 February 2011. At 12.51 p.m. on 22 February 2011, the Canterbury region was struck by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake. At the time it was still recovering from the effects of a 7.1-magnitude earthquake on 4 September 2010.

What is the closest city to Christchurch NZ to an earthquake?

A September 2010 earthquake centered 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Christchurch, in the plains near Darfield, struck at 4:35 a.m., had a magnitude of 7.1, and caused some structural damage and one death (by heart attack). The earthquake in February 2011 occurred at 12:51 p.m. and just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the center of Christchurch.

What was the magnitude of the 22nd February 2011 earthquake?

Aftershocks Date Time Richter magnitude ( ML ) Moment magnitude ( Mw ) Body-wave magnitude 22 February 2011 12:51 pm 6.3 6.2 6.3 22 February 2011 1:04 pm 5.8 5.5 5.5 22 February 2011 2:50 pm 5.9 5.6 5.6 22 February 2011 2:51 pm 5.1 4.5 4.4

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