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Although the 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake registered 6.3 on the Richter scale the damage caused was very great. The main reason was the peak ground acceleration (PGA) exceeded 1.8g's ( 1 g is equal to the acceleration due to gravity or 9.8 meters per second squared ). This PGA is extremely high and very rare and would cause many cities in the world to be completely leveled. Other reasons the quake caused so much damage where the depth of the epicenter was only 3 miles, the land displacement was approximately 50cm ( after the quake subsided ) and there where probably seismic waves rebounding back into the city having been reflected off the basaltic Port Hills outside the city.
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∙ 12y ago
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Why was the christchurch earthquake in christchurch?
Because it just was and earthquakes can happen anywhere so there Because that's where it happened. If it had hapened in Wellington it would have been called the "Wellington earthquake".
Why did so many buildings survive the christchurch earthquake?
because they were strong
How many times more powerful was the Japan earthquake than the Christchurch earthquake?
The 2010 Christchurch earthquake was of magnitude 7.1. The 2011 Christchurch earthquake was of magnitude 6.3. The 2011 Japan earthquake was of magnitude 9.0. The formula for comparing the energy released by two earthquakes using the moment magnitude scale (which is what I assume those numbers are in, since it's the most common scale for large earthquakes) is D=103*(m1 - m2)/2 So compared to the more recent Christchurch earthquake, we get that the Japan earthquake was about 103*(9.0-6.3)/2 = 103*2.7/2 = 104.05 which we can tell even without actually doing the calculations is a bit over 10,000 times more powerful in terms of total energy released. (this does not, however, mean 10,000 times more damage).
What caused the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 and why was it so deadly?
The Christchurch earthquake in 2011 was caused by the rupture of a previously unknown fault line, known as the Greendale Fault. It was a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck close to the city center, resulting in significant damage and loss of life. The earthquake was particularly deadly due to its shallow depth, close proximity to populated areas, and the vulnerability of the older buildings in Christchurch to seismic activity.
Why was The Christchurch earthquake such a bad one?
Do you know why the Christchurch earthquake such a bad one.Because, so many people have died in this earthquake. Have you ever noticed it. That there's a hundreds of people died and especially our beloved buildings that have been destroyed and we can't go inside because of the damage and it my fall, and we get on trap. That's so sad.So for today and forever I say that the Christchurch earthquake is such a bad one. I hope all of you too.THANK YOU!!!!By: Micah Catampo
What was the cause of the 2011 earthquake at Christchurch?
A previously unknown fault activated. Alarmingly so, for ground acceleration exceeded 2g in some sites! Have a crack at Christchurch Earthquake in wikipedia, which has a good summary of events.
Was the 2011 Christchurch earthquake felt in Wellington?
If you're referring to the 2011 Canterbury earthquake, it was felt as far south as Invercargill and as far north as Tauranga. So yes, I'm sure it was felt in Wellington although no major damage has been done outside of the Christchurch/Lyttelton area.
Why was the christchurch earthquake in christchurch?
Because it just was and earthquakes can happen anywhere so there Because that's where it happened. If it had hapened in Wellington it would have been called the "Wellington earthquake".
Where did the New Zealand earthquake happen?
New Zealand sits on a fault line, so earthquakes are relatively frequent. The devastating earthquake in February 2011 affected Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region at the southern end of the South Island. The epicentre occurred at Lyttelton, a small town on the harbour not far from Christchurch.
Why did so many buildings survive the christchurch earthquake?
because they were strong
How many times more powerful was the Japan earthquake than the Christchurch earthquake?
The 2010 Christchurch earthquake was of magnitude 7.1. The 2011 Christchurch earthquake was of magnitude 6.3. The 2011 Japan earthquake was of magnitude 9.0. The formula for comparing the energy released by two earthquakes using the moment magnitude scale (which is what I assume those numbers are in, since it's the most common scale for large earthquakes) is D=103*(m1 - m2)/2 So compared to the more recent Christchurch earthquake, we get that the Japan earthquake was about 103*(9.0-6.3)/2 = 103*2.7/2 = 104.05 which we can tell even without actually doing the calculations is a bit over 10,000 times more powerful in terms of total energy released. (this does not, however, mean 10,000 times more damage).
What caused the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 and why was it so deadly?
The Christchurch earthquake in 2011 was caused by the rupture of a previously unknown fault line, known as the Greendale Fault. It was a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck close to the city center, resulting in significant damage and loss of life. The earthquake was particularly deadly due to its shallow depth, close proximity to populated areas, and the vulnerability of the older buildings in Christchurch to seismic activity.
Why was The Christchurch earthquake such a bad one?
Do you know why the Christchurch earthquake such a bad one.Because, so many people have died in this earthquake. Have you ever noticed it. That there's a hundreds of people died and especially our beloved buildings that have been destroyed and we can't go inside because of the damage and it my fall, and we get on trap. That's so sad.So for today and forever I say that the Christchurch earthquake is such a bad one. I hope all of you too.THANK YOU!!!!By: Micah Catampo
Was the Christchurch earthquake a deep earthquake or not?
The earthquake in Christchurch, NZ on the 22nd of February, 2011 was located just 4 or 5km underground. To put this in perspective, the quake in September, located near Christchurch was twice the depth, 10km below ground. So although the quake may have been 6.3 on the Richter Scale, it was a lot shallower than the one in September (7.3 on the Richter Scale), did a lot more damage and took many, many more lives. Hope this helps.
Why did liquefaction cause so much damage in some areas of the Christchurch earthquake?
cause it just did.....
Why did so many people die in the February 2011 New Zealand earthquake?
It was midday, so many people were out and about in the business center of Christchurch. The earthquake epicenter was very close to the surface, only five kilometers under Christchurch, so buildings were more seriously shaken. Most people were killed in a couple of big buildings, the CTV Building and the Pyne Gould Corporation Building where people were working through lunch.
Why did the earthquake in christchurch have so many aftershocks?
The reason that there have been so many aftershocks after the 2010 Christchurch earthquake is because bigger earthquakes have not only stronger aftershocks, but more of them. Aftershocks happen because when an earthquake occurs, the earth's plates hardly ever settle into a stable position straight away. So, the newly moved rock has to be settle.
