Relationship between observed liquefaction at Kaiapoi following the 2010 Darfield earthquake and former channels of the Waimakariri River

The Darfield earthquake caused widespread damage in the Canterbury region of New Zealand, with the majority of damage resulting from liquefaction and lateral spreading. One of the worst hit locations was the small town of Kaiapoi north of Christchurch, an area that has experienced liquefaction during past events and has been identified as highly susceptible to liquefaction. The low lying town sits on the banks of the Kaiapoi River, once a branch of the Waimakariri, a large braided river transporting gravelly sediment. The Waimakariri has been extensively modified both by natural and human processes, consequently many areas in and around the town were once former river channels.Using historical accounts and maps of the region, areas of land reclamation and old channels that had been cut off from the river since the beginning of European settlement in the 1850s were identified. These areas correlated well with many of the areas having significant liquefaction damage following the Darfield event. Substantial lateral spreads and sand boils developed in areas of reclamation along the current river path, causing significant damage to stopbanks and structures along the river, with fissures up to 2 m deep and 1 m wide. Much of the residential housing was damaged by lateral spreading, with cumulative displacement offsets up to 3 m parallel to old channel beds that had aggraded over time due to river shifts. In former channel areas that were free of lateral spreading, large volumes of ejecta were present over wide areas, with depths of up to 400 mm in places. Houses in these regions were damaged as a result of settlement and tilting. In all these areas underground services and roadways were severely impacted as a result of ground deformation. The severity of this damage indicates the importance of knowing the location of old channels when defining liquefaction prone regions.

► Strong correlation between liquefaction and former river channels near Kaiapoi. ► We summarise historical changes in the path of the Waimakariri River near Kaiapoi. ► We show liquefaction around Kaiapoi historically and following Darfield event. ► River modification by natural and human processes created liquefaction prone areas. ► Significant damage to the built environment due to liquefaction in these areas.