The North Island's East Coast has been hit hard recently, with the 7.1 off-shore quake, and aftershocks that rattled the coast last week.
Scientists are trying to better understand undersea quakes, and in order to do so, they're creating an underwater earthquake observatory.
New Zealand will be one country taking part in the International Ocean Discovery Programme. GNS Science geophysicist, Laura Wallace, is the expedition's leader.
The recent 7.1 magnitude earthquake left large cracks in the sand at Rangitukia Beach near Te Araroa. Photo: supplied
