Large earthquakes could remove 'significant' amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, according to a new study

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Large earthquakes remove vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by burying vegetation beneath bodies of water in landslides.

Scientists made the discovery while observing large earthquakes triggered along New Zealand's Alpine Fault, which runs almost the entire length of the South Island.

The lush vegetation found on the side of the mountains along the fault line draws carbon dioxide in from the atmosphere.

During an earthquake, this vegetation is caught up in landslides – and often rapidly buried deep in lakes and ocean basins, taking millions of tonnes of carbon with it.

According to the study, this permanently removes the gas from the atmosphere.

The creation of mountains through tectonic activity has had a substantial impact on the carbon cycle over millions of years by both releasing and burying this crucial element, scientists said.