Study's carried out at one of Africa's largest lakes shows falling water levels in diminished pressure on the Earth's crust, resulting in more local quake activity.
The lower water levels in northern Kenya's Lake Turkana reduces the pressure put on the ground, meaning fault plates move more easily.
University of Auckland researcher James Muirhead says although New Zealand's lake systems are different, it's something we need to be aware of.
He says when New Zealand changes water loads, like building a dam, it should consider how that impacts the likelihood of earthquakes.
