A mere 10 seconds of earthquake shaking can result in severe destruction.
Christchurch catastrophe. Architects and Engineers can learn a great deal about how buildings and infrastructure perform in earthquakes by visiting earthquake-stricken regions. On February 22, 2011 at 12:51 pm a 6.3M earthquake shook the Christchurch area of New Zealand. Though the shaking only lasted 10 seconds, it caused severe destruction. Recognizing the impacts earthquakes may have on the Pacific Northwest, Reid Middleton had the opportunity to participate with the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) and Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) reconnaissance teams of engineers to observe and investigate damage in the affected areas. The majority of the time was spent in Christchurch in the Central Business District, but the team also visited the harbor town of Lyttleton, and the rural/seaside towns of Heathcote, Sumner, and Redcliffs.
