Story: Historic earthquakes

Liquefaction (1st of 2)

Liquefaction

Liquefaction occurs during earthquakes when the underlying geology of water-saturated loose sand and silt is shaken and turns to a mush. Areas especially prone to liquefaction include former river channels, wetlands, and ponds. In places where the surface has ruptured, sand and silt can be forced out of the ground. This occurred at the Kaiapoi Croquet Club where surveyor Angelique Zajac is seen measuring the trace of large cracks on Friday 10 September, almost a week after the quake.

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GNS Science
Photograph by Nicola Litchfield

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Historic earthquakes - The 2010 Canterbury (Darfield) earthquake', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/31157/liquefaction (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 28 Mar 2011, updated 1 Nov 2017