Samuel Williams Tuesday, 01 March 2011

On the 22nd of February, 2011, Christchurch experienced a second, far more violent earthquake lunch time. Myself and Coco were in almost exactly the same place as the first earthquake and we stood in the same doorway. We were thrown around quite a bit, but it was very short.

In less than 30 seconds, 150+ people were killed by falling buildings. But we didn't know that yet.

During the earthquake, a lamp shade that was sitting on a pedestal was wobbling from side to side. In my memory, it is almost like slow motion, it was swaying like a pendulum from one side and then to the otherside getting closer and closer to the point of no return. Finally, right before the earthquake subsided, it did a 180˚ rotation upside down and fell directly on top of a pot plant.

The Aftermath

Right away, I went to check around the house to make sure there was no immediate danger. The only thing that broke was a teapot that fell from a shelf, but remarkably, most things in the house were fine. Thanks to my suspended shelves, all my A/V equipment was fine. The backup batteries in the garage were beeping — power was cut — so I quickly shut down all our computer equipment. Then, I grabbed my camera.

The first thing I noticed outside was that the neighbours fence had fallen over. This fence wasn't very good previously, but now it was completely destroyed. This fence had survived the first earthquake, so that was the first sign that this one was quite a bit more powerful.

The neighbours fence, slightly more horizontal than usual.
The neighbours fence, slightly more horizontal than usual.

I then decided to go check on my sister Clemency at Canterbury University, since I was sure she was working there. We jumped in the car and the devastation started to become apparent.

Large amounts of water flowing down the street.
Large amounts of water flowing down the street.
Silt and water pushing up through the ground.
Silt and water pushing up through the ground.
Large amounts of silt covering the sidewalk.
Large amounts of silt covering the sidewalk.
Retirement homes' gardens damaged by silt and water.
Retirement homes' gardens damaged by silt and water.

I actually found out that my sister got out of the university safely, so that was good news, and we drove over to her house to touch base. I grabbed one of the bikes and decided to go out to get some more photos.

Older buildings were damaged beyond repair.
Older buildings were damaged beyond repair.
Many cinder block fences had fallen over.
Many cinder block fences had fallen over.
Papanui road was flooded and covered in silt.
Papanui road was flooded and covered in silt.
St Andrew's College's fields were flooded too.
St Andrew's College's fields were flooded too.
A helicopter makes an emergency stop off at someones house.
A helicopter makes an emergency stop off at someones house.
This house looked like a death-trap - fortunely no one was inside.
This house looked like a death-trap - fortunely no one was inside.
Another older house suffers severe structural failure.
Another older house suffers severe structural failure.
Even though this fence was reinforced it still fell.
Even though this fence was reinforced it still fell.
Merivale mall was cordoned off due to a gas leak.
Merivale mall was cordoned off due to a gas leak.
Suburban roads now with dangerous pot holes swirling with sewage.
Suburban roads now with dangerous pot holes swirling with sewage.
Few roads escaped unscathed around Edgeware.
Few roads escaped unscathed around Edgeware.
Strangely off-center lamp-posts are common place.
Strangely off-center lamp-posts are common place.

At this point I decided to head into the City to survey the damage. Being on a bike was great because there were so many damaged roads and traffic jams, so it allowed me to get around easily.

Despite surviving the previous earthquake, these walls have now given up.
Despite surviving the previous earthquake, these walls have now given up.
Knox Church with severe external damage; all windows were destroyed.
Knox Church with severe external damage; all windows were destroyed.
The Knox Church organ was also damaged, by the looks of things.
The Knox Church organ was also damaged, by the looks of things.
Shops and storefronts everywhere were messed up.
Shops and storefronts everywhere were messed up.
Many historical buildings were badly collapsed.
Many historical buildings were badly collapsed.
The central city was cordoned off quickly.
The central city was cordoned off quickly.
Surprised tourists were glad to be alive.
Surprised tourists were glad to be alive.
The emergency response team setting up at the Christchurch Art Gallery.
The emergency response team setting up at the Christchurch Art Gallery.
The New Zealand Army moved in to provide support for the police.
The New Zealand Army moved in to provide support for the police.
Even seemingly strong buildings were badly damaged.
Even seemingly strong buildings were badly damaged.
The bridge near Christchurch Hospital was warped and the asphalt was protruding by about 30CM.
The bridge near Christchurch Hospital was warped and the asphalt was protruding by about 30CM.
The Antigua Boat Shed seemed a bit more wonky than usual.
The Antigua Boat Shed seemed a bit more wonky than usual.
Cracks in the foot path were common.
Cracks in the foot path were common.
This crack was about 5CM wide.
This crack was about 5CM wide.
People started to congregate in Hagley Park.
People started to congregate in Hagley Park.
People walking out of the city to get support at Hagley Park.
People walking out of the city to get support at Hagley Park.
Along the Avon river, the road had started to collapse towards the water.
Along the Avon river, the road had started to collapse towards the water.
Engineers inspect the 1M deep chasm.
Engineers inspect the 1M deep chasm.
Walking down the Avon river, it became apparent how powerful the earthquake had been.
Walking down the Avon river, it became apparent how powerful the earthquake had been.
Despite the half-standing state of the tree, people were walking underneath it.
Despite the half-standing state of the tree, people were walking underneath it.

At this point, I called my friends Henri and Yoko. They were over at St Margaret's. I went over to meet them, and on the way I also met Tomomi and Emiko. Their flat was badly damaged.

This street, in the Strowan area, looked deep enough to have a boat.
This street, in the Strowan area, looked deep enough to have a boat.
My friend Henri and Tomomi inspecting his flat.
My friend Henri and Tomomi inspecting his flat.
This doesn't seem dangerous!
This doesn't seem dangerous!

All in all, a very difficult and tragic event for people living in Christchurch!

Comments

J Morley (from Niwot Colorado USA) said:
Wed, 21 Mar 2012 at 05:29AM

I am a jeweler in Colorado just bought your app for rentals i own a few. Saw the pictures of the quake, so sorry. I was contemplating moving to Christchurch years ago a jeweler there offered me a job and sponsorship. Maybe I did not go for a reason.

H.S said:
Sat, 15 Sep 2018 at 09:14PM

Nice to see the pics…Hope Tomomi is doing well. Have not seen them in many years.

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