New information on what triggered the Kaikōura earthquake has been revealed in a report out of Victoria University.
Twenty years of data suggests multiple slow movements in fault lines caused the large earthquake due to a build-up of stress.
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The authors hope it will help in predicting future rumbles.
The earthquake was the result of a mega-thrust, which caused widespread damage and devastation along the Kaikōura coast in November 2016.
Science behind 20 years of satellite tracking shows the 7.8 magnitude quake was the result of a sudden break of an enormous, off-shore fault line after years of a build-up of pressure.
Associate Professor at Victoria University Simon Lamb says the fault is slipping every day.
"A ginormous fault that underlies much of northern South Island and eastern South Island... that fault is slipping day by day, year by year."
The large fault lies between the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, moving freely at a depth of 30 kilometres, and at shallow depths is locked in place under Wellington and Marlborough. In November 2016, the pressure got too much, causing a mega thrust.
"Eventually reaching their limit they couldn't be twisted and distorted anymore so they broke and shattered," says Prof Lamb.
It resulted in a further 20 faults to shift, causing 170 kilometres of damage - moving land by 10 metres.
Researchers hope this study will help predict future quakes.
"Understanding this mega-thrust is the key to really understanding what's driving the earthquakes in New Zealand," says Prof Lamb.
It's hoped the report will help Kiwis be better prepared when the next big one hits.
Newshub.
