Christchurch was hit by a second major quake just months after the first
A shallow magnitude 6.0 quake struck Christchurch in June 2011, adding up to NZ$6 billion in damage as the city still recovered from February.
Christchurch had already been devastated by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in February 2011 when another major shock arrived just months later. The June 2011 quake measured magnitude 6.0 and struck at 14:20 local time, centred only about 5 km south-east of the city at a shallow depth of roughly 7 km.
It was preceded by a magnitude 5.9 tremor at a slightly deeper 8.9 km. The U.S.
Geological Survey logged the main event at magnitude 6.0 and a depth near 9 km. The shaking caused up to NZ$6 billion in additional damage.
Why it mattersIt is a stark reminder that a damaged city can be struck again before recovery is even underway, multiplying the cost.
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