Earthquakes pulled two New Zealand islands closer together

Two islands in New Zealand have moved closer together after many earthquakes in 2016.

New Zealand GNS Science Geological Research Agency said the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 2016 and subsequent aftershocks created many geographic changes on the country's two main islands.

Campbell Cape in northeastern South Island moves 35cm towards the North Island.(Photo: BLOOMBERG).

Two islands in New Zealand are said to have gotten closer together.(Photo: GOOGLE MAPS).

CNS quoted expert Sigrun Hreinsdottir as saying that Campbell's nose, located in the northeastern tip of South Island, has moved 35cm towards the southernmost city of Wellington on the North Island.

Besides, the earthquake also raised the sea shelf by about 2m, causing many rocks and creatures below to emerge.

In addition, Kaikoura city on the east coast of the South Island also moved eastward 15cm further, while the city of Blenheim in the northeast moved in the northeast with the same distance. Ms. Hreinsdottir said authorities have not been able to determine the main factor leading to the shift.

Meanwhile, the earthquake caused 2 people killed in 2016 also caused 25 cracks on the ground and created many geological changes in the South Island.