How Fast Is Soil Liquefaction?

During major earthquakes, water-saturated soil can liquefy entirely — flowing at walking pace and swallowing buildings as if they were sinking into wet cement. Christchurch, New Zealand, suffered widespread liquefaction in the 2011 quake.

In Christchurch in 2011, entire neighbourhoods saw their soil liquefy — buildings sank as if into wet cement.

• Same as walking pace
• Buildings literally sink into liquid soil