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Geo-boffins say 'quake lifted bits of New Zealand by 8 metres, moved at 3km/second

Reefs lift from sea and drain, roads cut, house torn off foundations

VIDEOS New Zealand's geoscience agency GNS Science has released videos showing the fault lines that ruptured during the recent earthquakes that moved the nation two metres north.

The Kaikoura earthquake struck on November 14th, 2016, and caused extensive damage on New Zealand's South Island. Two people died as a result of the magnitude 7.8 'quake, which was the second-strongest recorded since European occupation of the shaky isles (as NZ is sometimes known).

In the first video, below, we learn that the earthquake moved at 3km/second and lifted the earth by up to six metres, turning underwater reefs into new land strewn with fish out of water.

Youtube Video

GNS Science sent in the drones for this next one, which shows a farm track shifted radically by the 'quake. Again, this happened in moments.

Youtube Video

Pity the owners and occupants of the house in this next vid: it was right on the fault and didn't emerge well after being shunted eight metres, and right of its foundations, in a hurry.

Youtube Video

Lastly, here's a view of the Kekerengu Fault.

Youtube Video

One last thing: forgive us a story comprised almost entirely of a third party organisation's videos, dear readers. We know many of you are keenly interested in the natural world but can't tell this story any more effectively with prose. ®

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