On February 22, 2011, New Zealand’s second-most populous city of Christchurch was hit with a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake, essentially leveling this lively city. Two years later, it still finds itself in a massive state of repair.
New Zealand lies directly on a number of fault lines, many of which run directly under major cities, like Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. Unfortunately, Christchurch has been the stage for a series of earthquakes and aftershocks over the years, like the 7.3 magnitude that struck on September 4, 2010. The one in February, though, put New Zealand in a state of national emergency, as it was the second largest natural disaster to ever hit the country.
As someone who called New Zealand my home for well over a year, I send my deepest condolences to all those affected by the Christchurch earthquake. It was, and is, a horrific tragedy.
Kia kaha.
Disclaimer: These photos were taken by government officials. I received express permission to publish them.
To help rebuild Christchurch, you can donate to the New Zealand Red Cross.
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7 Responses
Hi Jeremy, Have you any name for the Photo of the lateral spread along River Rd. titled “Dallington River Rd. ” It is the best example I can find for my thesis on damage in the Red Zone. thanks my email is here
Great collection of photos that really show the damage!
I flew in there the day after the quake because I was working for an Aussie TV station at the time and it was really unnerving to see all the destruction and feel the constant aftershocks!
Thanks, Turtle! I can’t imagine being there in the wake of the destruction, never mind the day after the quake! Would have been quite a scene…
Great story and touching photos. Hard to imagine the devastation.
It really is. It wasn’t until I was going through all these photos that the magnitude of the devastation actually hit me.
wow, great collection of photos Jeremy.
it’s only when you see those images, do you realise how epic and event it was. i was there in january and even then, some of the buildings looked a sorry state. it feels like the city hasn’t even recovered by now too.
That was my reaction, too, Andonis. Having never visited Christchurch, it didn’t occur to me what a damaged city would actually look like. These photos really put things into perspective for me.