Massive Quake Brings Aussies & Kiwis Closer…Literally

07/22/09  Print This Post Print This Post    2 Comments      Written by Jason Wire
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If you were ever planning a nice little day swim across the Tasman from New Zealand to Australia it just got shorter…by about one stroke.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Fiordland a week ago apparently twisted the southern island so far out of shape that it actually moved about one foot closer to Australia, says a New Zealand news source. Every year, the island drifts about one-third of an inch westward, but this is giving it about a thirty-six year boost. The earthquake was the biggest in New Zealand after eighty years.

No, it probably won’t make your inter-island travels any cheaper, but at least the South Pacific just got a foot cozier.

Here’s the video from the quake:

Feature photo: Stormy Dog


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About the Author

Matador ID: j-wire

Jason Wire is one of the newest members of the Matador tribe, and is currently finishing his final year as an undergrad at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. He calls Evansville, Indiana home...wherever that is.

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