The following article was posted to facebook by my friend Dee Wade, the original article can be found at: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/tsunami-watch-nz-after-magnitude-8-quake-5335320
-----------------------
Published: 2:43PM Wednesday February 06, 2013
Source: ONE News
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has cancelled its tsunami watch and warning for all Pacific Islands and New Zealand after a magnitude 8 earthquake struck off the coast of the Solomon Islands.
However, the Civil Defence in New Zealand says the threat still remains.
The Civil Defence said today that only messages issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) represent the official warning status for New Zealand, not those issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC).
The large quake, which was originally believed to measure 6.3 magnitude, was located 340km east of Kira Kira in the Solomon Islands, the US Geological Survey reports.
The quake struck at a very shallow depth of only 5km.
The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has issued a national advisory for tsunami potential marine and beach threat for Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, North Cape, Waikato, Taranaki, Manawatu/Wanganui, Kapiti, Marlborough, Nelson/Tasman, West Coast, Milford, Dunedin and Chatham Islands.
People in coastal areas are being advised to stay off beaches, stay out of the waters and to not go sightseeing.
It said historical comparisons suggest that the amplitudes are likely to be greatest in the central west coast of New Zealand, between Hokitika and New Plymouth, and also in the far north of the North Island (Ahuriri Peninsula).
It said the first wave may arrive in New Zealand between 6pm and 7pm tonight. Initial estimates based on preliminary modelling suggested wave height levels between 0.2 to 1.0 metre high.
Historical experience and modelling experience suggest that the largest waves will be several hours after the first arrivals. The first arrivals are likely to be small.
In many locations the primary concern is likely to come from strong currents within harbours and surges in river mouths.
The tsunami potential threat will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM.
This advisory had been issued to all local civil defence authorities, emergency services, other agencies and media.
The National Crisis Management Centre has been activated.
The New Zealand High Commission in Honiara said earlier today that it was evacuating and "relocating its consular staff".
Destructive tsunami
Villages in the Solomon Islands have been destroyed by a tsunami generated by a massive earthquake, ONE News has been told.
Director of Nursing Augustine Bilve at Lata Hospital said he had received information that three villages close to Lata had been hit.
An early report said the tsunami measured 0.9 metres (3ft) after an 8.0 quake at a very shallow depth of only 5km, struck 340km east of Kira Kira in the Solomons.
The US Tsunami Warning Center has since cancelled the tsunami warning for Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, Wallis and Futuna.
The tsunami watch issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was also cancelled for Marshall Islands, Howland and Baker,Pohnpei, Tokelau, Samoa, Kermadec Islands, American Samoa,Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Niue, Cook Islands, Indonesia, Wake Island, Chuuk, Jarvis Island, Guam, Northern Marianas, Palmyra Island, Yap, Johnston Island Minamitorishima, Belau.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier that it was aware of the tsunami warning in place for much of the Pacific.
"Our Posts are monitoring the situation and the High Commission in the Solomon Islands has issued an advisory to New Zealanders registered with us as being there on safe travel website.
"The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has reported a three foot wave has hit the Solomon Islands and we have received no reports of tsunami damage yet," the Ministry said.
Published: 2:43PM Wednesday February 06, 2013 Source: ONE News
-----------------
The body of text above is taken directly from: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/tsunami-watch-nz-after-magnitude-8-quake-5335320
Please follow the above link, at the bottom of that page is another set of links for the full story about the earthquake in the Solomon Islands and live updates of the South Pacific tsunami as it all unfolds.
Image: http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRl9T7Dhnrw3VU-cWv9rsfrKQVy38oXIqzxRwtE1hTxtejG0gCzp-afgErb
Sent from my BlackBerry®
No comments:
Post a Comment
All comments are moderated by the blogger.
Only formative discussive comments will be allowed.
No insults, slurs or rude comments will be allowed.
ALL content is copyrighted and belongs to the Author, all images provided by outside sources are 'loaned' to this blog by consent.
NO COPYING of images for distribution in any form are allowed.
Email the author for permission.