Residents and scientists alike are amazed by a new bubbling phenomenon that has started in the shallow waters of Kaikōura after the earthquake.
It's believed a new crack in the rocks has opened up around 50 metres from the shoreline and exposed carbon dioxide which is causing bubbles to rise to the surface.
Kaikōura Kayak guide Conner Stapley was the first person to see the bubbles.
He was on the water with a colleague, checking the normal kayak routes to see if there were any changes after the quake.
"We paddled over and it looked like someone had turned on a spa pool from underneath. [A] very strong smell of sulphur as well."
He says the bubbles are rising not far from the coastline in Whalers Bay.
"As you get up closer it looks like pronounced bubbles coming up in a few different streams and it stretches for quite a wee way about 50-to-100 metres," Mr Stapely said.
Canterbury University's Dr Matthew Huges says a new split in the rock may have released previously trapped gasses.
"Very similar to a can of fizzy drink with carbon dioxide that has been dissolved in it and when you crack the top and release the pressure, carbon dioxide comes out of the solution and causes bubbles."
He says at this stage it is hard to know if the phenomenon will stick around.
"It really depends on the amount of gas that is available to access the pathways to the seabed. We really have no idea how much that there is nor how long this process will take," Dr Hughes says.
Scientists, geologists and marine biologists will visit the area to analyse the gasses however Dr Hughes says the gas is probably not dangerous.
"The only minor exception to that is the possibility of hydrogen sulphide which is a poisonous gas at certain levels but mainly around volcanic, hydrothermal areas and this is not one of those areas."
Dr Hughes says it is a "magical little silver lining" for the tourist town and Mr Stapely agreed.
"I named them Hope Springs after my daughter. We've got the Hope Fault that could contribute to it and also new hope for Kaikōura I believe, it's going to be a new attraction for us hopefully."
Newshub.
