By Jessica Rowe
It is one year today since the course of Canterbury history was literally rocked to its foundations.
Since that 7.1 magnitude earthquake, there have been more than 7500 aftershocks and seismologists say there is still a high chance of another big shake.
The Greendale fault line was responsible for the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck at 4.35am, one year ago today.
Prime Minister John Key says Cantabrians have been brave and courageous as they have dealt with the various earthquakes.
“It's been a very trying time for them and I think they've proven the heart and soul of the stoic nature of Cantabrians.”
And a GNS seismologist says there is still an 80 percent chance there will be another aftershock over a magnitude 5 in the next twelve months, but there is hope for frazzled Cantabrians.
John Ristau says as time goes by without an earthquake of the same size, the probability of actually getting one gets lower and lower.
The Saint Johns church at Hororata suffered significant damage in the September quake, and the parishioners have had to move back into their old church across the road.
The church held a special service to mark the first anniversary and each member brought along an earthquake damaged item as a symbol of hope.
In Sumner there was a festival to remember the year that has been and thousands of people showed up at the Christchurch Botanical Gardens to take part in a large group hug in an attempt to break the world record.
Around 6000 houses are to be demolished as a result of the earthquakes.
And more than 120,000 Christchurch home owners are still waiting to receive their settlements from Earthquake Commission.
CERA’s Roger Sutton says they are making progress.
“More land is going to come to market soon for those people who want to move and the demolitions are proceeding, but this stuff just takes time.”
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownless says it will never be as fast as people would like it to be.
“But I think it has been steady, given the fact that we've had such a huge amount of seismic activity continuing.”
Despite the continuing threat of seismic activity the Government hopes construction will be in full swing and all land decisions will be made within the next twelve months.
The Cabinet will meet here in Christchurch tomorrow to show their support for Canterbury.
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