Chance of Third Major Earthquake in Christchurch

Scientists have done extensive testing on the ground in Canterbury and Christchurch and have concluded that the region has a 23% chance of experiencing a 6.0 to 7.0 magnitude earthquake in the next year. With the inner city still in ruins, this news is not comforting. Click here to read more about the aftershocks and predictions.

Earthquake-Damaged Christchurch Cathedral to be Rebuilt

Christchurch Cathedral is much loved by the people of the city and is an iconic landmark. It survived the September earthquake relatively unscathed but suffered extensive damage in the February earthquake. Plans are being made to rebuild it but the process will be long with parts of the Cathedral having to be completely reconstructed. Most people in Christchurch have not seen the Cathedral since the earthquake as it is in the restricted red zone. This has led to much anger and resentment as residents say they need to see the damage and also want to walk through parts of the shattered city before buildings are demolished. Click here for more news on the Cathedral and the red zone.

Lady Gaga Helps Christchurch Earthquake Fund Raiser

Lady Gaga recently donated a pair of Gucci shoes that she had worn and signed to help raise funds for the Christcurch Earthquake Appeal. The auction for the shoes closed on Sunday 22nd May 2011 and was part of the Rise Up Christchurch telethon held on the same day. To find out how much the shoes sold for as well as an update on Christchurch earthquake news, click here.

Looting after Christchurch Earthquake

As business owners have been allowed back into the red zone to recover stock and belongings, a number of them have discovered that their properties have been looted. It is believed the thefts occurred shortly after the February earthquake when the focus was on resuce and recovery. During this time, a number of unauthorised people breached the cordon that surrounded the CBD.

Aftershocks continue with eight being reported in the previous 24 hours. Some of these related to the September earthquake while others were the result of the February earthquake.

Click here for more updates on the looting and aftershocks.

Access to Christchurch Red Zone

Cera has urged residents and business owners with property in the earthquake-damaged Red Zone of Christchurch to register with ERNI. If their building has been assessed as safe to enter by a structural engineer, they will be given a window of 2 to 3 hours to enter and retrieve personal belongings.

Christchurch residents were upset to find that the Canterbury Quake Live website was down this morning. Click here for more details on the above stories.

Daily Aftershocks in Christchurch

Three Strong Aftershocks Shake Christchurch on the 15th May 2011

Aftershocks continue to shake Christchurch and surrounds and add to the stress that residents are already feeling. Some of this stress is related to the inaccessability of the inner city. Many buildings in the 'red zone' are destined for demolition and grieving residents feel the need to see the are before it is changed forever. Click here to read more about the aftershocks and inner city problems.

Christchurch Shaken by 5.3 Aftershock: 10th May 2011

Christchurch residents were shaken awake at 3:04 am on the 10th May 2011. The 5.3 aftershock was centred near Rolleston and was related to the 7.1 earthquake in September 2010. Click here to read a full report of the aftershock and what locals had to say on Facebook in the early hours of the morning.

Christchurch Aftershocks Continue into May 2011

Following the 5.2 aftershock on the 30th April 2011, Christchurch has been shaken by several smaller tremors. The largest of these was a 3.7 at 2:57am on the 2nd May. It was strong enough to wake people up and was reported as being accompanied by a rumbling sound. Click here for more news on Christchurch aftershocks and the effects on the elderly.