Impact of a 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake on Urban Areas

I don’t know what we were expecting when we arrived in Christchurch. We were aware that New Zealand had just endured a devastating earthquake, yet we often find media reports exaggerate emergency situations. We anticipated the damage would be isolated, with the rest of the town operating normally.

Initially, we believed the media might have been highlighting the same damaged structures repetitively.

What a 6.3 Earthquake Can Do to a City

In reality, the city of Christchurch is indeed suffering immensely. Much of the city is without power, and numerous buildings beyond the severely impacted Central Business District (CBD) have also sustained significant damage.

Homes, shops, and eateries have collapsed, leaving piles of debris scattered on nearly every corner. Our hostel, The Old Country House on Gloucester, remains intact but lacks water pressure, heating, and hot water.

Most individuals in this area are without electricity and must endure long queues for gas and propane.

Damage is Significant in and around the Central Business District

Business Closures and Community Spirit

We ventured out, naively believing we could grab a meal, shop, and buy a SIM card for our iPhone; however, the city is effectively shut down. Businesses and schools are closed, and everyone is off work.

Besides supermarkets and corner stores, virtually every shop and restaurant is closed. While many people are out driving or cycling, families are trying to make the best of a difficult situation.

Kiwis demonstrate an inspiring level of resilience and optimism. Residents greet each other with smiles as we stroll by.

One family, amidst the wreckage of their house, utilising heavy machinery and surrounded by supportive friends, graciously offered us food. Despite their circumstances, they maintained an attitude of gratitude and positivity.

Central Business District

The Central Business District (CBD) has endured the most extensive damage in Christchurch, limiting entry to essential personnel and residents whose homes are safe. Due to the risk of further building collapses, authorities prohibit public access to these areas.

Tanks patrol the streets and are stationed at intersections leading towards the CBD, while military and police monitor these points to prevent unauthorized entry. Anyone who is not an emergency worker or resident faces arrest if they attempt to enter.

Our exploration around the neighboring area revealed astonishing levels of destruction. Observing the city center from a distance, we pondered how such a community could begin to recover from a catastrophe of this magnitude.

Many roads have visible cracks and holes, with several bridges buckled in the center. Following the earthquake, liquid sand surfaced, creating muddy chaos.

This phenomenon, known as liquefaction, caused substantial upheaval both indoors and outdoors. As the water recedes, it leaves behind hard-packed mud, which residents are now desperately trying to remove from showrooms, businesses, parking lots, and front yards.

Recovery for Christchurch

If there is a city capable of rising once more, it’s Christchurch. Residents are tirelessly shoveling the dense sand, which feels akin to clay.

Mounds of mud line the streets, ready for future removal by front-end loaders. Although only days have passed since the earthquake, the determination of the Christchurch populace to rebuild their lives is palpable.

“People have expressed concern about our trip to Christchurch, yet we believe now is the time to visit. The earthquake has already occurred, and efforts to rebuild are underway. It’s the ideal moment to support this beautiful country, particularly as it remains prime tourist season with splendid weather.”

Reports indicate that hundreds of students and volunteers are arriving with shovels and wheelbarrows to assist in clearing liquefaction from backyards, as neighbors extend a helping hand during this distressing time.

The citizens of Christchurch exhibit an admirable spirit. They are hopeful, optimistic, and poised to rebuild and recover.

As one person remarked to us, “I was born and raised here. While some may choose to leave following this second earthquake, most of us will remain.”

We arrived late at night in Christchurch, New Zealand, unsure of what to expect. Typically, the line for foreign passport holders at immigration is packed with people; however, tonight it was quite the opposite.

The Aftermath and Aftershocks in Christchurch

Our flight from Melbourne was half-empty, primarily occupied by native Kiwis returning to their families, emergency workers coming to assist, and us.

Upon exiting the arrivals area, we were surprised to see several groups of people camped out in the terminal awaiting flights to exit the country. We hadn’t anticipated that many were still trying to leave town, even days after the earthquake struck.

Our taxi driver informed us that reports indicated as many as 4,000 people were departing Christchurch daily. We questioned the severity of the situation as people were sleeping on the airport floor, attempting to flee the country.

City Centre

Driving into the city center evoked an eerie sensation. Much of Christchurch remains without power, and as we glanced out the window, we were met with the stark devastation caused by the earthquake days prior.

Building facades have crumbled, roads are warped, and military presence surrounds the primary emergency zone that is cordoned off to the public. A notable crack in the road resembled a large speed bump, but we soon realized it was a fault line created by the catastrophic earthquake.

Christchurch is in a State of Emergency

As articulated by our driver, the landscape resembles a war zone. Yellow emergency tape barricades intersections, while tanks and police ensure restricted access. A curfew has been enforced, prohibiting residents from venturing outside their homes after dusk.

As of two days prior when we departed Bangkok, the death toll stood at 75, with nearly 300 individuals reported missing. As of today, 113 out of 223 are still unaccounted for, and emergency efforts continue unabated. Large aid containers arrived on the same flight as us, marked for “Christchurch Emergency Efforts.”

We Aren’t the Kind to Seek Out Disaster Zones

Our trip to Christchurch had been planned long before the earthquake occurred. We contemplated changing our plans to arrive at a later date or to a different part of the country; however, most others were attempting the same, leaving us little choice but to proceed with our journey.

In three days, we will continue our exploration of the North and South Islands, but for now, we find ourselves amidst a city that is endeavoring to recover from a tragic event.

Christchurch is currently welcoming an influx of search and rescue specialists, and a well-organized rescue operation is underway. Our aim isn’t to assist directly; emergency workers are conducting their operations diligently and unauthorized entry could lead to arrest.

Individuals lacking skills might unintentionally create further challenges. We are merely here pursuing our travel plans.

Epicenter

Our original accommodation was situated at the epicenter of the disaster zone, now off-limits. Initially, we were informed it had been designated for emergency personnel; nonetheless, we suspect it has been evacuated due to its proximity to The Grand Chancellor Hotel, which is on the verge of collapse.

We found alternative accommodations at a hostel just beyond the no-entry zone. The Old Country House on Gloucester Street is still operational and has power; however, it is close enough to the emergency zone that our taxi driver had to take a detour, as the main access road is blocked off and guarded by military personnel.

Aftershocks

He conveyed that the aftershocks are particularly unsettling, and shortly after we settled into our room, we felt our first tremor. Having never experienced an earthquake before, this aftershock seemed significant to us. The room shook for a few seconds, and we exchanged glances, realising the gravity of our situation.

Throughout the night, we experienced two additional, albeit milder, aftershocks, yet fatigue soon took over, allowing us to sleep uninterrupted for the remainder of the night.

This period will undoubtedly pose challenges for the city’s residents. Tourism plays a vital role in their economy, and natural disasters commonly deter visitors. With two disasters striking the same location, we can only speculate how long it will take for tourists to return and what impact this will have on the local population.

As morning breaks, we can hear laughter echoing in the hallway. Today, our plan is to explore the city, connect our iPhone for communication with concerned family members, and try to reach out to friends residing here.