June 2011 Christchurch earthquake

June 2011 Christchurch earthquake
Structural damage from the earthquake
June 2011 Christchurch earthquake is located in New Zealand
June 2011 Christchurch earthquake
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Map showing the epicentre of the earthquake
UTC time2011-06-13 02:20:50
ISC event16591901
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date13 June 2011
Local time14:20
Magnitude6.0 Mw[1]
Depth7 km (4 mi)[1]
Epicentre43°34′S 172°44′E / 43.57°S 172.74°E / -43.57; 172.74
TypeStrike-slip
Areas affectedNew Zealand
Total damageBuilding collapse, power outages, broken water pipes, soil liquefaction, rockfall
Max. intensityMMI VIII (Severe)[2][3]
Peak acceleration0.78 g [4]
TsunamiNo
Casualties1 dead,[5] 46 injured (2 critically)[6]

The June 2011 Christchurch earthquake was a shallow magnitude 6.0 Mw earthquake that occurred on 13 June 2011 at 14:20 NZST (02:20 UTC). It was centred at a depth of 7 km (4.3 mi),[1] about 5 km (3 mi) south-east of Christchurch,[7] which had previously been devastated by a magnitude 6.2 MW earthquake in February 2011. The June quake was preceded by a magnitude 5.9 ML tremor that struck the region at a slightly deeper 8.9 km (5.5 mi). The United States Geological Survey reported a magnitude of 6.0 Mw and a depth of 9 km (5.6 mi).

The earthquake produced severe shaking, registering at VIII (Severe) on the Mercalli scale in and around Christchurch. It destroyed several structures and caused additional damage to many others which had been affected by previous earthquakes. The damaged tower of the historic Lyttelton Timeball Station collapsed before dismantling work could be completed. The earthquake downed phone lines and cut off power to 54,000 households. Restoration costs in Christchurch following the February earthquake were estimated to increase by NZ$6 billion (US$4.8 billion) because of the additional damage from this event. Forty-six people suffered injuries, two of which critical, and one elderly man died after being knocked unconscious.

  1. ^ a b c "Magnitude 6.0, Mon Jun 13 2011 2:20 PM: Technical". GeoNet. GNS Science. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Pager Version 2 - M 6.0, South Island of New Zealand" (PDF). USGS. 13 June 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  3. ^ "New Zealand Earthquake Report - Jun 13 2011 at 2:20 pm (NZST)". GeoNet. GNS Science. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Large earthquakes strike south-east of Christchurch". GeoNet. 14 June 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  5. ^ "One death reported after earthquake". The New Zealand Herald. 14 June 2011. Archived from the original on 7 August 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference injuryupdate was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Magnitude 6.0, Mon Jun 13 2011 2:20 PM: Details". GeoNet. GNS Science. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.