Christchurch Earthquake Quiz

What was the magnitude of the Christchurch earthquake on February 22, 2011?

• 5.8

• 6.3

• 7.1

• 8.0

Why was the timing of the Christchurch earthquake significant?

• It occurred during a holiday.

• It occurred in the middle of a weekday when the centre of Christchurch was packed with workers and shoppers.

• It occurred at night when everyone was asleep.

• It occurred during a weekend.

Why was the location of the epicentre of the Christchurch earthquake important?

• It was in a rural area.

• It was in the ocean.

• It was only 3 miles to the south-southeast of Christchurch.

• It was in a neighboring country.

What was the total estimated cost of damage and proportion of GDP due to the Christchurch earthquake?

• NZ$10bn, 5% of GDP

• NZ$20bn, 8% of GDP

• NZ$30bn, 10% of GDP

• NZ$40bn, 12% of GDP

What was thought to have killed 175 people in the Christchurch earthquake?

• Flooding

• Building failures

• Landslides

• Tsunami

Which specific building killed 115 people and why?

• The six-storey CTV building which was poorly designed by an inexperienced engineer.

• The four-storey library building which was old and dilapidated.

• The three-storey shopping mall which was overcrowded.

• The two-storey school building which was not earthquake-proof.

Why was the 2011 earthquake more damaging than the 2010 7.1 earthquake in the region?

• The epicentre was in a densely populated area.

• The epicentre was a considerable distance away from highly populated areas.

• The earthquake occurred at night.

• The earthquake was followed by a tsunami.

Which part of Christchurch was particularly badly damaged and why did this exacerbate the economic impact?

• The suburbs, because they had many old buildings.

• The CBD, because it is the economic hub of Christchurch and many buildings required rebuilding.

• The outskirts, because they were not well-prepared.

• The residential areas, because they were densely populated.

What percentage of homes in the area were damaged?

• 50%

• 60%

• 75%

• 80%

What helped to lessen the individual economic impact of the damage to homes?

• Government subsidies

• Earthquake insurance

• International aid

• Community donations