Will major earthquake strike New Zealand? Seismologists spill beans on looming natural disaster

Experts say the residents should be prepared for more major shakes in the coming weeks.

Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
A truck drives over the fractured road south of Ward on the South Island, November 14, 2016 Reuters

Seismologists in New Zealand said on Friday there is a high possibility of more powerful aftershocks after the 7.8-magnitude quake rocked South Island on Monday, killing two people.

The tremor struck 16km underground near Hanmer Springs, some 91 km northeast of Christchurch in the South Island, and was felt across the country. The earthquake was of a greater magnitude than the devastating tremors that struck Christchurch in 2010 and 2011.

The official GeoNet science agency said the earthquake permanently changed the region's geography as the land moved up to 11 metres (36 feet) along the many faultlines in the South Island disaster zone.

Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
Landslides block State Highway One near Kaikoura on the upper east coast of South Island. Reuters

The seabed was also pushed by the quake by as much as two metres along a 110 kilometre (70 mile) stretch of coastline including Kaikoura, a tourist town. GeoNet said at least four faults were ruptured by the quake. It said the quake was "clearly... one of the most complex earthquakes that has ever been observed".

Since Monday, the region has been experiencing more than 2,000 aftershocks and the agency added that the residents should be prepared for more major shakes in the coming weeks.

Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
A four-wheel-drive vehicle negotiates the damaged State Highway One near the town of Ward, south of Blenheim, South Island. Reuters

It said that the current probability of 6.0-magnitude quakes and above was "about 100 times larger than what we would normally expect".

The authorities also warned about several dangerous temporary dams which were created by some rain-swollen rivers, blocked by quake debris.

"Landslide dams can break quickly, and release large volumes of water and sediment as a flood wave," Sarah Stuart-Black, the Civil Defence director told AFP.

New Zealand sits on the highly seismically active zone "Pacific Ring of Fire" and experiences frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

Check out some more photos of the disastrous earthquake in New Zealand:

Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
Landslides block State Highway One near Kaikoura on the upper east coast of South Island Reuters
Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
A railway line is damaged by an earthquake, near Tirohanga stream south of Blenheim on the South Island. Reuters
Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
Policemen and locals look at damage following an earthquake, along State Highway One near the town of Ward, south of Blenheim on New Zealand's South Island, November 14, 2016. Reuters
Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
Local residents Chris and Viv Young look at damage caused by an earthquake along State Highway One, south of the township of Blenheim on South Island Reuters
Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
Evacuees formerly stranded in the earthquake-affected town of Kaikoura stand alongside the helicopter that brought them to the town of Woodend, near Christchurch, New Zealand. Reuters
Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
A Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter delivers government officials and police to assess earthquake damage in Kaihoura on the upper east coast of South Island Reuters
Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
Local residents Chris and Viv Young look at damage caused by an earthquake along State Highway One near the town of Ward, south of Blenheim on South Island. Reuters
Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
Evacuees formerly stranded in the earthquake-affected town of Kaikoura walk away from the New Zealand Air Force helicopter that brought them to the town of Woodend, near Christchurch, New Zealand. Reuters
Is New Zealand heading for another major quake? Seismologists spill the beans on possible natural disaster
Evacuees formerly stranded in the earthquake-affected town of Kaikoura rest aboard the New Zealand naval ship HMNZS Canterbury Reuters

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