2016 Christchurch earthquake
An earthquake occurred in Christchurch on 14 February 2016 at 1:13 p.m. local time (00:13 UTC) and initially recorded as 5.9 on the Richter scale, but subsequently reviewed as 5.7. Often referred to as the Valentine's Day earthquake, it was centred in the sea off New Brighton at a depth of 15 kilometres (9.3 mi). It was the first large earthquake that the Christchurch area had experienced since May 2012, and it was part of the earthquake sequence that started with the 4 September 2010 Canterbury earthquake.
Map showing the epicentre of the earthquake | |
| UTC time | 2016-02-14 00:13:44 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 608330826 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 14 February 2016 |
| Local time | 01:13 PM NZDT (UTC+13:00) |
| Magnitude | 5.7 ML |
| Depth | 8 km (5 mi) |
| Epicentre | 43.50°S 172.83°E |
| Type | Strike-slip |
| Areas affected | New Zealand |
| Total damage | Building collapse, power outages, rockfall, sinkhole |
| Max. intensity | MMI VIII (Severe) |
| Peak acceleration | 0.4 g |
| Tsunami | No |
A number of cliffs collapsed at Scarborough (Godley Head and Whitewash Head), Richmond Hill, and Sumner (Peacock's Gallop). The shipping containers that were still placed along Peacock's Gallop on Main Road stopped falling rocks from hitting passing cyclists. Two surfers were below Whitewash Head and had car-size rocks crash into the sea around them.