New Zealand

• Background

  • Kaikoura, New Zealand
  • 14th November 2016
  • 7.8 on the Richter scale
  • Caused by Pacific plate subducting beneath the Australian Plate
  • Destructive and conservative plate boundary
• Primary Effects

  • 2 people died
  • Over 50 people injured
  • Tens of thousands of homes damaged, and some were destroyed
  • 60 people needed emergency housing
  • Total cost of damage was US $8.5 billion
  • Communications, water, sewerage and power supplies cut off
  • Over 200km of road and over 190km rail line destroyed
• Secondary Effects

  • The earthquake triggered up to 100,000 landslides which blocked major road and rail routes
  • A major landslide blocked the Clarence River, leading to flooding and evacuation of 10 farms
  • The earthquake generated a tsunami with waves of around 5 m, leaving 250 m of debris inland
• Immediate Responses

  • A tsunami warning was issued quickly, and residents of coastal areas were told to move to higher ground
  • Hundreds of people were housed in emergency shelters and community centres
  • 200 of the most vulnerable people were evacuated from Kaikoura by helicopter within 24 hours of the earthquake
  • Power was restored to most places within a few hours
  • International warships were sent to Kaikoura with supplies such as food, medicine and portable toilets
• Long-term Responses

  • $5.3 million of funding provided by Kaikoura District Council to help with rebuilding the town's water systems and harbour
  • Most road and rail routes repaired and reopened within 2 years
  • Kaikoura Mayoral Earthquake Relief Fund was set up to help residents who couldn't afford basic supplies, and donations were received from around the world
  • By March 2017, a permanent water main had been laid in Kaikoura