Geology and geomorphology of urban Christchurch and eastern Canterbury. Explanatory book

Begg, J.G.; Jones, K.E.; Barrell, D.J.A. (compilers) 2015 Geology and geomorphology of urban Christchurch and eastern Canterbury. Lower Hutt, N.Z.: GNS Science. GNS Science geological map 3. 101 p.

Abstract

The area of eastern Canterbury covered by this geological dataset consists of some 1840 km2 of the coastal fringe along Pegasus Bay, around the western margin of Banks Peninsula, and south through the Lake Ellesmere area to the Rakaia River mouth, South Island, New Zealand. Data coverage includes most of the urban area of Christchurch City, and numerous outlying towns and rural residential areas. Parts of the Christchurch area were devastated by a series of powerful, shallow earthquakes between 2010 and 2012 in a seismic episode known as the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence (CES). One hundred and eighty five people lost their lives in the second major earthquake in the CES, the 22 February 2011, MW 6.2 Christchurch Earthquake. The city, particularly the eastern part and parts of the Port Hills, suffered substantial damage during the CES, mostly the result of intense ground shaking, liquefaction, lateral spreading and rockfall. The purpose of this geological dataset, published in the GNS Science Geological Map series, is to provide improved knowledge of the materials that lie beneath the Canterbury Plains in the Christchurch area, as an aid to derivative work such as geological research and hazard mitigation. It also provides a resource for planning and emergency management and for groundwater management and gives a general indication of likely foundation conditions. It also gives a general indication across the city. (auths)