Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management
Media release
2.00pm Friday 18 September
National Tsunami Warning cancelled
The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has cancelled the National Tsunami Warning (Marine and Beach Threat) issued yesterday after the
earthquake near Chile.
“We have reviewed the situation following advice from the GeoNet Tsunami Experts Panel and believe the National Warning
no longer needs to be in place as the threat to New Zealand’s East Coast and Chatham Islands has largely passed,” says
Sarah Stuart-Black, Director, Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management.
“We expect that there may be some unusual water conditions for the next 24-36 hours and advise people to be cautious and
use discretion before going into the water or going out in small boats. We expect things to be back to normal within
that 36 hour period,” she says.
The Tsunami Warning (Marine and Beach Threat) was issued at midday on Thursday 17 September, with the first waves
arriving at the Chatham Islands from 11.50pm on Thursday.
Wave heights were up to 50 cm, which were recorded in parts of the Chatham Islands.
“The response from the public to this warning has been fantastic. In most cases we’ve seen people heeding our advice and
being responsible,” says Mrs Stuart-Black.
“On any given day New Zealand’s entire coastline could be at risk from a tsunami. This warning as a result of the
Chilean earthquake is a reminder to each of us to make sure we know what to do in an emergency.
“We want every New Zealander to be prepared for an emergency. They need to have a household emergency plan for what to
do.
“In the past few years we have experienced several of these ‘distant source’ tsunami that have been generated from
earthquakes from across the Pacific. People should be getting a better understanding of what happens, and what to do,”
says Mrs Stuart-Black.
If there is a ‘local source’ tsunami caused by an earthquake near our coast it may not be possible to give an official
warning. We need to take notice of natural warnings. Things like:
- the ground shaking so much from an earthquake that it’s hard to stand up
- a rolling earthquake of a minute or more
- the sea doing something different - like a sudden rise or fall in the sea level or the sea making loud and/or unusual
noises, it might sound like a roaring jet engine
If people experience these things then they need to move immediately to high ground or as far inland as possible. Once
they’ve done that they need to listen to the radio or other media for information from local civil defence authorities.
ENDS