The central city was closed for a week after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake on 4 September 2010 ; some buildings were damaged , including parapets collapsing . The central city experienced peak ground acceleration ( i.e. earthquake intensity ) of between 15 % and 20 % of gravity . Ongoing aftershocks and cracked building façades dented confidence in the central city . Retailers in the City Mall retailers had put an effort into strongly promoting the traditional Boxing Day sales in 2010 , and there was " brisk trade " until an aftershock at 10.30 am . Although only a 4.9 magnitude earthquake , its epicentre was directly beneath the central city and the resulting peak ground acceleration ranged from 22 % of gravity at ChristChurch Cathedral and 48 % at Christchurch Botanic Gardens . The Last Train to India restaurant at 94 Cashel Street was a graphic example of the damage caused . The wall of the adjacent former Zetland Hotel collapsed and crashed through the roof ; anybody standing in the restaurant 's bar area would likely have been killed , but it was still closed that morning
earthquake on 4 September 2010
2010 Canterbury earthquake
City Mall, Christchurch