Canterbury Quakes

Map showing the Darfield mainshock, the February M6.3 (Christchurch), the June M6.3 and the December M6.0 earthquakes, together with aftershocks above magnitude 3 and fault ruptures in Canterbury.

What do you want to know about the Canterbury earthquakes?

• What are the significant earthquakes since September 4 2010?

• Where are the aftershocks distributed? What are your forecasts for them?

  GNS hazard modeller Matt Gerstenberger talks to Radio New Zealand about Canterbury's earthquake risk (May 31 2011)

• What's the timeline for the aftershocks?

• What's happening at the seismic drums in the Canterbury region?

• What have been the major stories you've carried about these earthquakes?

• I have been directly affected by the earthquakes. Where can I get some advice and help?

• I'd like to see your Frequently Asked Questions in case my query is also there.

What is the science behind these earthquakes and their aftershocks?

GNS Science Landslide Immediate Report

• GNS Science Immediate Report LD8 (NZTopo50-BX24)/941-947 (6.32Mb)
  Report on Landslide Reconnaissance Flight on 24 February 2011 following the Mw 6.3 Christchurch Earthquake of 22 February 2011

From Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management group

• Read science factsheets about earthquakes, tsunami, liquefaction and landslides

From the Office of the Prime Minister’s Science Advisory Committee and the Royal Society of New Zealand

• Earthquake prediction and future earthquake risks for Christchurch and New Zealand

Watch and listen to scientists describing the Christchurch earthquake and their investigations

• GNS hazard modeller Matt Gerstenberger talks about earthquake probabilities and forecasting
• GNS geophysicist Vaughan Stagpoole describes geophysical surveys that have taken place in Canterbury
• GNS engineering geologist Chris Massey describes rockfall impacts from the Christchurch earthquake
• GNS engineering geologist Garth Archibald shows how Christchurch rockfalls are scanned by laser
• GNS seismologist Bill Fry explains the February 2011 aftershocks in Christchurch
• GNS seismologist Martin Reyners explains why this earthquake was so damaging for its comparatively low magnitude
• GNS seismologist John Ristau explains how seismic waves are analysed to find an earthquake's location and magnitude
• GeoNet Data Centre Manager Kevin Fenaughty explains seismic waves and what's been observed in Christchurch
• University of Canterbury Professor Jarg Pettinga explains some of the geological factors behind the Christchurch earthquakes

Natural Hazards Research Platform (NHRP)

Research conducted under the Natural Hazards Research Platform develops quantitative estimates of geological and weather-related processes such as earthquake, volcano, flood, snow, wind, rainstorm, landslide, and tsunami activity in New Zealand. The research also evaluates how well New Zealand society is prepared for these perils.