Updated at 1:54am — Tsunami waves are moving in to New Zealand now, mostly below 50cms as of 1:50am.  

Tsunami is showing up in guages near Great Barrier Island, Gisborne, East Cape, Napier, Castlepoint, Tauranga and the Chatham Islands…in other words, eastern New Zealand.

We’ll update again after dawn – but here is the latest from Civil Defence.

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See below for a larger version of this map.

 

THE LAST UPDATE FROM NZ CIVIL DEFENCE (MCDEM) as of 1:30am Fri

Most of the East Coast of New Zealand, including Chatham Islands, can expect wave heights of between 0.2 and 1m. While most of the (eastern) mainland will experience heights at the lower end of the 0.2 – 1m range, Chatham Islands is expected to sit at the higher end of that range.  

Historically, the first waves have not been the largest, and the same may be true for this event. In addition, known hot spots, for example Coromandel, East Cape/Gisborne and Banks Peninsula, are likely to experience strong tidal currents.

 

People in the above coastal areas should: 

1. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities) 

2. Stay off beaches and shore areas

3. Do not go sightseeing

4. Share this information with family, neighbours and friends

5. Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates

6. Follow instructions of local civil defence authorities 

[[The tsunami warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM. Updates will be issued hourly.  

Only messages issued by MCDEM represent the official warning status for New Zealand, not those issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC).

This warning has been issued to all local civil defence authorities, emergency services, other agencies and media. Local civil defence authorities will interpret this information for their areas and advise public action via local radio stations]]

Note:

• The wave amplitudes given indicate the largest expected wave activity at any coastal point in the particular coastal zone and at any time during the entire period this warning is in effect (tsunami activity will vary in a zone and with time; the first wave activity may also not be the largest).
• The given amplitudes do not include the local tidal or sea state at the time of tsunami activity.
• Local authorities will determine the implication of the expected wave heights for their areas and will decide on appropriate response actions (e.g. evacuations). Listen or check for this information from your local authority.

This warning has been issued to all local civil defence authorities, emergency services, other agencies and media.  MCDEM and scientific advisors are closely monitoring the situation to update this assessment. Information will be updated or repeated at least hourly until this warning is cancelled. Also see www.civildefence.govt.nz 

1am Hour TSUNAMI WARNING MAP via Civil Defence

 

 

– Message & Map authorised by the National Controller, Civil Defence Emergency Management.