
Satellite photographs taken from NASA's Earth Observatory show how far the shoreline was raised after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in New Zealand.

The images from space reveals sections of new land along the 20 kilometre stretch of the Kaikoura coastline, on the country's South Island.

As much as five-and-a-half metres of seabed was pushed upwards by the huge earthquake, which now make up part of the new shoreline, GeoNet reported.

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Satelitte photographs captured by NASA's Earth Observatory reveal sections of new land along Kaikoura coastline. This photograph taken on November 25, after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the seaside town, shows the new shoreline

This satellite pictured taken on October 12, 2016 shows the Kaikoura coastline six weeks before the quake struck

Comparison photos from space of the Kaikoura peninsula were taken on October 12 and November 25.

The newly exposed land caused by earthquakes can sink back down, the NZ Herald reported.

GNS science operations specialist Dr Natalie Balfour noted the land was unlikely to go back under the sea.

'The newly raised coastline of the Kaikoura coast is most likely a permanent feature. This is the type of movement that has built many of the mountain ranges in New Zealand,' she said.

‹ Slide me › GNS science operations specialist Dr Natalie Balfour said: 'the newly raised coastline of the Kaikoura coast is most likely a permanent feature'

Rain and strong winds battered central New Zealand threatening further damage - just days after the quake killed two people and sparked with huge landslides.

More than 1,000 tourists and residents have since been evacuated from the small seaside town by a fleet of helicopters and a naval vessel since the 7.8 magnitude quake struck early November 14.

Once submerged, the rocks - covered in barnacles, limpets and seaweed - have now been pushed up above the surface. As a result of the sudden uplift, sea life including lobster and abalone, have been seen stranded out of water.

The areas which appear purple in colour show how the sea bed has been forced up to the surface.

The photos, shared and liked more than 1,000 times on Twitter, also show the direct impact to wildlife following the earthquake with sea creatures stranded out of the water.

Devastation: Incredible photographs show how New Zealand 's 7.8 magnitude earthquake lifted the seabed two metres - and exploded through the sand

Damage: The enormous 7.8 magnitude earthquake not only tore apart the seabed, but homes and roadways, and some of the country's famed mountain areas

Landslide: Aerial photos capture the devastating aftermath of the New Zealand coastline after it was hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake just after midnight on November 13

‹ Slide me › A 'before photo' taken in March 2016 shows how the coastline looked before the earthquake struck on November 14 (left). An 'after' photo taken in recent days shows the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake (right)

New Zealand woman Anna Redmond uploaded photos to her Facebook account showing the uplifted coast up close.

Her photos show abalone, or paua, covered seabed jutting out metres above the ground.

While incredible, the photos capture the devastating death of sea-life, most of which cannot survive above water.

While it is not the first time the island has been hit by an earthquake, experts claim it is the first time tremors have caused the New Zealand seabed to lift.

Marine Geologist Dr Joshu Mountjoy said he had 'never seen it before during an earthquake'.

'(It's a) very complex fault rupture,' Dr Mountjoy told Stuff.

Environmental and Engineering Consultants Tonkin and Taylor pinpointed the section of coastline where the aerial photos were taken. The sea bed is shown to have risen two metres in some parts

While incredible, the photos capture the devastating death of sea-life, some of which cannot survive above water

He said some faults went side-to-side and others vertically and the after-effects from the most recent earthquake look as if they moved vertically and pushed land upwards.

'It will take a while before this becomes normal again,' he said.

The experts were not alone in their shock with many going online to express their disbelief.

'That is unreal, that has to be at least 15-20 feet of upwelling to expose those pauas like that,' one Facebook user said.

'Amazing power of mother earth,' said another said.

The enormous 7.8 magnitude earthquake not only tore apart the seabed, but homes and roadways, and some of the country's famed mountain areas.

The quake claimed the lives of two people and caused extensive destruction.