Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Quake Knocks New Zealand a Foot Closer to Australia

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2009 12:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – There’s nothing like a 7.8 magnitude earthquake to bring two countries together—literally. The temblor that hit New Zealand last week has shoved its southern island about 12 inches closer to Australia, TVNZ reports. That might not sound like much, but considering that New Zealand typically moves about a third of an inch per year, it’s a huge overnight shift, geologists say.

The shift also proves just how big a bullet New Zealand dodged. “New Zealand has been very fortunate,” said one geologist. “This earthquake anywhere else would have caused huge damage.”

This image shows Seismicity readings for Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand from 1990-2000.
This image shows Seismicity readings for Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand from 1990-2000.   (United States Geological Survey)
A 2002 satellite image of New Zealand.
A 2002 satellite image of New Zealand.   (NASA)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
riffran
Jul 23, 2009 5:13 AM CDT
ROFL ROFL ROFL.....good one B.O.B
NxBigmouthery
Jul 22, 2009 9:28 AM CDT
I thought I could feel my vowels flattening even more. Sweet ez, bro.
SalParadise
Jul 22, 2009 6:33 AM CDT
How could an earthquake be at all related to an eclipse?

More Newser Stories

Africa Rapidly Breaking in Two

Geologists Warned of Haiti Earthquake

South Pacific Avoids Tsunami After Big Earthquakes

Scientists Stumped by Oregon Quakes

World's Biggest Potheads Live In...


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne