5 years since the first big Christchurch earthquake

It was the biggest in terms of magnitude, 7.1, but because it was centred about 50 km from Christchurch and deeper, it didn't cause the same amount of damage that the one in February 2011 caused.  The latter earthquake destroyed the standpoint of this photo, taken in the 1960s from the bell tower of the cathedral.  This shows CTB buses in the red and cream familiar to older residents.  For lots more, see our books.