Tsunami activity alert for New Zealand’s coastal areas after the 7.7 earthquake near New Caledonia

LAST TSUNAMI WARNING:

• The authorities have issued a tsunami advisory for the coastal areas of New Zealand, mainly in Northland.
• Follows a 7.7 earthquake near New Caledonia at 2.20 am this morning
• Civil Defense says that NZ can expect unusual strong currents and unpredictable swells on shore.

New Zealand authorities issued a tsunami warning following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake southeast of the Loyalty Islands, near New Caledonia.

Civil Defense says it expects New Zealand’s coastal areas to experience unusual strong currents and unpredictable swells off the coast.

People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, from beaches and coastal areas, and away from ports, rivers, and estuaries.

They are the extreme north of the country from Ahipara on the west coast to the Bay of Islands in the east; Great Barrier Island, and from Matata to Tolaga Bay.

There is no need to evacuate other areas, unless directly directed by local Civil Defense authorities.

Roger Ball, acting director of Civil Defense Emergency Management, said the “very large” earthquake reported near the Loyalty Islands this morning had prompted officials to take action.

“As a result of that and following the assessment of our scientific advisers, we have issued a national advisory for tsunami activity affecting the coasts of parts of New Zealand.”

Ball reiterated the message to the public to stay out of the water and away from the shoreline and beaches.

“I think it’s important for people to keep up-to-date with information as they receive it and if they know people they may know (family or friends) who can go boating or fishing, swimming … first thing in the morning. In the morning, let them know if they are in those parts of New Zealand. “

Those areas include parts of Northland, the Bay of Plenty, and the Gisborne Coast.

“The effects of this will probably show themselves for a while and we want people to stay out of the water and off the beaches.”

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No flooding of land areas near the coast is expected as a result of this event.

It says the threat should be considered real until this notice is canceled.

Earliest wave arrival times

Auckland East: 6.05 a. M.
Auckland West: 5.24 a. M.
Lottin Point (East Cape): 4.59 a. M.
Mount Maunganui: 5.12 a. M.
New Plymouth: 6.04 a. M.
North Cape: 4.20 a. M.
Tauranga Port: 5.22 a. M.
Sunday: 8 am
Whangarei: 4.59 a. M.

Coast Guard Warning to Ships

The MetService is also closely monitoring the situation this morning. A spokesperson said they were monitoring things for Civil Defense purposes.

In Auckland, the Coast Guard is telling boats in potentially threatened areas to get out of the water.

A spokeswoman said they are broadcasting safety warning messages on their radio channels early this morning warning boats of the potential danger.

No incidents related to the tsunami alert had been reported to the Coast Guard around 5.30 a.m., he said.

In Wellington there is no need for anyone to evacuate in the region, however the local Office of Emergency Management (WREMO) is asking people to be careful about water conditions.

Anyone heading out on the water this morning should be on the lookout for strong currents or unusual wave activity.

The US Tsunami Warning System says there is also the possibility of tsunami waves 0.3 to one meter above tide level, for other regions, including Vanuatu and Fiji.

The earthquake occurred around 2:20 this morning New Zealand time, with an epicenter 401 kilometers east of Tadine in New Caledonia.

It was at a depth of 33 km.

The Australian Joint Tsunami Warning Center says there is no threat of a tsunami on the mainland, islands or territories of Australia.

The full notice

National Advisory: Tsunami Activity – Strong and Unusual Currents and Unpredictable Surges Expected on the Coast

• We expect New Zealand’s coastal areas to experience unusual strong currents and unpredictable swells off the coast following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake southeast of the Loyalty Islands at 2.20am.

• Strong currents and power surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, fishers, small boats, and anyone in the water or near shore.

• People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, from beaches and coastal areas and away from ports, rivers and estuaries.

THREATENED AREAS:
From AHIPARA to BAY OF ISLANDS,
GRAN BARRERA ISLAND and
from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY.

TIPS FOR PEOPLE IN THREATENED AREAS

STAY OFF THE BEACHES AND COASTAL AREAS

• It is not necessary to evacuate other areas unless directly advised by local civil defense authorities. Coastal flooding (flooding of land areas near the coast) is not expected as a result of this event. We advise people to:

• Get out of the water, off beaches and coastal areas, and away from ports, rivers and estuaries.
• Do not go ashore to observe unusual wave activity, as there can be dangerous and unpredictable swells.

• Listen to local civil defense authorities and follow instructions.
Share this information with family, neighbors, and friends.

• The first tsunami activity to cause these strong currents and storm surges may reach Nueva
Zealand in the areas around the North Cape at approximately 04:20 am New Zealand Summer Time. This may be later and the first tsunami activity may not be the most significant.

• Unusual strong currents and unpredictable surges will continue for several hours and the threat must be considered real until this Notice is canceled.

• This National Notice has been issued after an evaluation of the information available. The situation may change as new information becomes available.