MetService and GNS Science visit Raoul Island after the March earthquakes

MetService and GNS Science staff have returned to Raoul Island for the first time since the 8.1 magnitude earthquake near the Kermadec Islands that shook many New Zealanders in the early hours of March 5.

They reached the island’s lodging building to find pantry items scattered on the floor and books stacked on the ground.

However, there is no apparent structural damage to the building so far, but MetService weather data services manager Kevin Alder said an engineer traveling with the team could provide a complete picture upon returning to New Zealand.

Alder said earthquakes of this size have occurred in the region before while staff have been on the island.

“You could say that the facilities have been designed with that fact in mind, that it is a high-risk area for earthquakes.”

Two MetService staff members and the engineer traveled to the remote island with staff from GNS Science and the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) aboard the Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Canterbury.

They left on March 8 and must return tonight.

The mission was due to depart on March 1, but was delayed due to Auckland’s alert level change, meaning the crew would have been on the island during the earthquakes.

This week’s trip was shortened to focus on critical work, including maintaining meteorological systems and tsunami warning systems.

The crew also inspected the island from helicopters to check for damage caused by the earthquake. The NZDF said landslides and water discoloration were identified, but no significant damage to equipment or structures was noted.

Just over a week ago, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook thousands of New Zealanders at 2.27 a.m.

Two more earthquakes followed, one of magnitude 7.4 at 6.41 am and the 8.1 earthquake at 8.28 am, in the Kermadec Islands, 1000 km northeast of New Zealand.

The latter triggered tsunami alerts from Civil Defense.

The tsunami threat affected much of the Northland, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, and Upper West Coast coasts. Residents were told to move to higher ground immediately.

The warning was lifted at 3.34pm.

Maritime Component Commander Matt Williams said the earthquakes and subsequent tsunami warnings were a reminder of the importance of these early warning systems.

“We will continue to monitor the situation on the Kermadec Islands, including consultation with our colleagues at GNS Science.”