Aerial View of Earthquake-Damaged Christchurch CBD

The following images were taken during a helicopter flight over Christchurch on Saturday 26th May 2012. They show the large gaps left by the demolition of hundreds of buildings. The red zone of the city has been inaccessible to the public since the February 22nd earthquake in 2011.

Christchurch Aftershocks 25th May 2012

Following a few days of increased seismic activity, Christchurch experienced a 5.2 aftershock at 2:44pm on the 25 May 2012. It was centred in the sea between New Brighton and Sumner at a depth of 10 kilometres. The Mercalli scale registered it as VI meaning the following: Felt by everyone. Difficult to stand. Some heavy furniture moved, some plaster falls. Chimneys may be slightly damaged. Canterbury Quake Live reported it as the 30th biggest shake since the 7.1 earthquake on the 4th September 2010. It was followed by a number of smaller shakes.

Residents felt it as a wobbling and shaking with houses creaking and rattling as the movement continued. Facebook comments included the following:

Had all the lights swaying here on the hills
Strong quake in rangiora
That rocked for ages afterwards
I am shaking, that was so scary, heck it went on for ages
Just felt that one in Ashburton

The red zone of Christchurch was shut down soon after the quake as a safety measure.

Aftershocks are predicted to continue for some years to come.

Christchurch Aftershocks on Sunday 20th May 2012

After a relatively quiet period, Christchurch and Canterbury have experienced several fair-sized aftershocks in the last few days. According to Geonet, the shakes were of the following magnitudes:

Tuesday May 15th, 1:27pm, 4.5 earthquake, 11 kilometres deep, 10 kilometres north-east of Chirstchurch
Sunday May 20th, 9:35am, 4.1 earthquake, 10 kilometres deep, 20 kilometres west of Christchurch
Sunday May 20th, 5:06pm, 4.8 earthquake, 8 kilometres deep, 20 kilometres east of Christchurch

After the Sunday shakes, Facebook was flooded with comments from locals about how the quakes had felt and concerns that two large shakes in one day may be a sign of more movement to come overnight.

Demolition continues on a daily basis across Christchurch with one of the latest casualties being the Waters Edge Apartments in Ferrymead. This seven storey structure was not popular and is probably one of the few buildings that will not be considered a great loss to Christchurch. Situated as it was on the water edge, it obstructed the view and stood out amongst the relatively low buildings in the surrounding areas. The pictures below show demolition underway on Saturday 19th May 2012. 

15th May 4.5 Aftershock in Christchurch

Geonet reported a 4.5 aftershock in Christchurch on the 15th May 2012. The shake occurred at 1:27pm and was centred in the ocean near New Brighton. Canterbury Quake Live recorded the depth as 10.39 kilometres and it measured v on the Mercalli scale. This means the quake was felt by almost everyone, some people awakened. Small objects moved. trees and poles may shake.

Locals described it as a jolt followed by an extended wobble. Facebook comments included the following:

• Well that was a good rocker
• The house is still moving
• That will have rattled a few more rocks off the cathedral

The widespread feeling was it was the biggest shake most residents had felt for several weeks.