2016 Kaikoura earthquake

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2016 Kaikoura earthquake
2016 Kaikoura earthquake is located in New Zealand
2016 Kaikoura earthquake
Date 14 November 2016
Origin time 00:02:56 NZDT
Magnitude 7.8 Mw[1][2]
Depth 15 km (9.3 miles)
Epicenter Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
15 km (9.3 miles) north-east of Culverden
Areas affected New Zealand
Max. intensity IX (Violent)[1]
Tsunami Yes
Aftershocks > 3,300[3] (as of 19 November)
Casualties 2 dead[4]
57 treated for injuries[5]
File:Map of 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.svg
Map of Kaikoura earthquakes

The 2016 Kaikoura earthquake was a magnitude 7.8 (Mw) earthquake in the South Island of New Zealand that occurred two minutes after midnight on 14 November 2016 NZDT (11:02 on 13 November UTC).[1] The epicentre was about 15 kilometres (9 mi) north-east of Culverden and 60 kilometres (37 mi) south-west of the tourist town of Kaikoura; the hypocentre was at a depth of approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi).[2][6][7][8] The earthquake ruptured on multiple fault lines in a complex sequence that lasted for more than one minute. Its cumulative magnitude of 7.8[9][10] makes it one of the world's three largest earthquakes in 2016, and second in magnitude to only one New Zealand earthquake since European settlement of the country.[11]

Casualties were reported in Culverden and Kaikoura.[4][12] There were two deaths, in Kaikoura and Mount Lyford.[12]

Earthquake

The complex sequence of ruptures with a combined magnitude of 7.8 struck at 00:02:56 NZDT on 14 November 2016, 15 km (9 mi) north-east of Culverden and 95 km (59 mi) from Christchurch.[10][12][13][14] Initial field surveys indicate motion on the Kekerengu Fault of up to 10 metres (33 ft), movement on the Hundalee Fault, a newly identified fault in Waipapa Bay, as well as minor motion on the Seaward segment of the Hope Fault.[13] Portions of seabed near Kaikoura were lifted at least 2 metres (6.6 ft) along the shore, creating a new coastline.[15]

The Kaikoura earthquake's maximum intensity of IX[1] made it the world's most severe earthquake in 2016.[16][17]

Tsunami

At 01:32 (NZDT) on 14 November the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) issued a tsunami warning for the eastern coasts of the North and South Islands and the Chatham Islands.[18]

A wave of 2.5 m (8 ft) was recorded at Kaikoura, 1 m (3 ft) at Christchurch, and 0.5 m (2 ft) at Wellington.[19] A wave of 0.2 m (1 ft) was recorded in Napier at about 3am.[20] A tsunami estimated at five metres high struck the north-facing Little Pigeon Bay on Banks Peninsula. The bay contained only one building, an unoccupied holiday house that was pushed off its foundations and heavily damaged. In neighbouring Pigeon Bay the tsunami was observed at about 2am but caused no damage.[21]

Casualties and damage

Kaikoura and North Canterbury

File:Elms Farm 02.JPG
The Elms homestead, pictured here in 2012, collapsed during the earthquake, killing one person.

Two deaths were reported in the earthquake: one victim suffered a heart attack, while the other victim was crushed when the historic Elms Farm homestead near Kaikoura collapsed. Two people were rescued from the rubble of the house, including the victim's 100-year-old mother.[22]

Many major roads were closed in the South Island because of slips and damage to bridges, including State Highway 1 between Picton and Waipara, and State Highway 7 between Waipara and Springs Junction (SH 65 turnoff). The closure of SH1, the Inland Kaikoura Road and the Main North Line railway effectively cut off all land routes into Kaikoura.[23][24] Most roads were cleared within 24 hours, but SH 1 between Seddon and Cheviot via Kaikoura and the Inland Kaikoura Road remained closed.[25]

Police arrested three young men after receiving a report on 16 November that a freight train abandoned between two landslides had been looted.[26]

As of the morning of 19 November, Kaikoura remained cut off by road due to landslides, damaged bridges and infrastructure, road subsidence, and the risk of falling debris.[27] The NZTA said that State Highway 1 would take months to repair, while repairs to the railway line, a key freight connection between Wellington and Lyttelton, were likely to take more than a year.[28] The diversion route via State Highways 63, 6, 65 and 7 was experiencing four times its usual traffic volumes.[29]

Wellington

Widespread damage to buildings occurred in the nearby city of Wellington, with power outages affecting many communities. A high-rise office block on Molesworth Street in Wellington was cordoned off after the quake amidst fears that it could collapse.[30]

Damage to docks at Wellington also impaired ferry traffic across the Cook Strait.[20]

Christchurch

One house in the coastal suburb of New Brighton in Christchurch was reportedly looted after the occupants left because of tsunami risk.[31]

National effects

Schools and universities across the region were told to remain closed until the situation can be assessed,[32][33] affecting the end-of-year NCEA examinations for secondary school students.[34]

Response

Prime Minister John Key surveyed the damage from the air and later described the scenes as "utter devastation" and estimated that reconstruction would take months and cost billions of dollars.[35]

The New Zealand Defence Force dispatched five Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopters (four NH90s and one Agusta A109), a P-3 Orion, and a C-130 Hercules. The aircraft were tasked to survey and provide essential emergency supplies to the most-severely affected areas around Kaikoura. Kaikoura Aerodrome was too small to take larger multi-engine aircraft so landing was limited to helicopters and small aircraft. The Royal New Zealand Navy's multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury and off-shore patrol vessel HMNZS Wellington were deployed to Kaikoura to provide aid supplies and evacuate people.[36] HMCS Vancouver, HMAS Darwin and USS Sampson, in New Zealand waters for the RNZN's 75th birthday celebrations in Auckland, were redirected by their respective governments to assist.[37] A United States Navy P-3 Orion of VP-47 and a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kawasaki P-1, both also visiting the RNZAF airbase at Whenuapai for the RNZN 75th anniversary events, were deployed to assist.[38] The New Zealand Defence Force also deployed HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Endeavour to support the operation.[citation needed]

The New Zealand Fire Service dispatched urban search and rescue teams to Wellington and Kaikoura. Paramedics were also dispatched from St John.[32]

Baggage of evacuees being unloaded off HMNZS Canterbury

Nearly 200 people had been airlifted out of Kaikoura by late evening on 15 November, with about 1,000 still to be evacuated on the following morning.[39] Stranded tourists with health issues and travel plans were put on a flight priority list.[40] HMNZS Canterbury arrived in Kaikoura on 16 November and transported about 450 evacuees, 4 dogs, and 7 tonnes of luggage to Lyttelton, arriving early the following morning.[41]

Aftershocks

See also

References

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  30. Earthquake: Damage to quake-hit Wellington building is getting 'incrementally worse'", stuff.co.nz, 16 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
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