December 2011 Christchurch earthquakes
| UTC time | 2011-12-23 00:58:38 |
|---|---|
| Local date | 23 December 2011 |
| Local time | 1.58 pm NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Magnitude | Mw 5.8 |
| Depth | 10 km (6 mi) |
| Epicentre | 43°29′S 172°48′E / 43.48°S 172.8°E |
| Areas affected | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Total damage | >NZ$15 million |
| Max. intensity | MMI VII (Very strong) |
| Casualties | 1 fatality (indirect), 60 injuries |
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On 23 December 2011, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck east of Christchurch, New Zealand, at 1.58 pm. Within the next two hours it was followed by magnitude 5.0, 5.4 and 5.9 earthquakes. These earthquakes caused liquefaction and flooding in the eastern suburbs, as well as about 60 injuries and one indirect death due to tripping on ground that had become uneven. The Earthquake Commission received over 48,000 damage claims and paid out $15.4 million by September 2012. These earthquakes occurred after the city had been devastated by an earthquake in February 2011, which caused 185 deaths and tens of billion dollars in damage.