There aren't a lot of benefits that come from major disasters – but this island in New Zealand may have just been saved from certain long-term danger because of it.

After the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November, over 75 miles of Kaikōura coastline in Canterbury was raised up to 26 feet out of the water.

The council would have had to spend millions in order to repair the coastline; but now – ever since the earthquake – officials are wondering whether the island has temporarily been put out of harm's way..

"It was actually the elephant in the room for us, like many councils, because it was such a big job to deal with, particularly along the esplanade where it's a very popular residential area," Kaikōura mayor Winston Gray told Radio New Zealand. "Now with the uplift … certainly it has taken the issue away for a given period of time. How long, we don't know."

Click To Share The News With Your Friends