Media Release
15 July 2009

22:23pm

Potential Tsunami Threat to New Zealand

It is possible that there is a tsunami risk to New Zealand from the 7.8 earthquake that occurred near Tuatapere today at 2123 NZST. The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management is continuing to monitor the situation.

This message is not a warning but an advisory for the public to continue listening for further information. The Ministry will, as soon as possible, follow this media release with either a cancellation or an official warning.

The Ministry’s Director, John Hamilton, said that the Ministry has received information about the earthquake from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) in Hawaii and GNS Science in New Zealand.

The information from PTWC and GNS Science indicates there is a possibility of tsunami risk to New Zealand.

“GNS Science is closely monitoring and analysing all available New Zealand and international data about the earthquake as well as the sea levels, and may convene the tsunami expert panel,” Mr Hamilton said.

“The Ministry will release further information as soon as it becomes available”.

Useful websites:

http://www.getthru.govt.nz/web/GetThru.nsf/web/BOWN-7GZVAT?OpenDocument

http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/

www.geonet.org.nz/tsunami

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