Five years after three tsunamis struck New Zealand shores in one day, the National Emergency Management Agency is urging the public to get tsunami ready.
In the early hours of 5 March 2021, three powerful offshore earthquakes — a Magnitude 7.3 near East Cape followed by Magnitude 7.4 and 8.1 quakes in the Kermadecs — triggered three overlapping tsunami recorded around New Zealand.
NEMA’s Director for Civil Defence Emergency Management, John Price says, “Today is a reminder that all of New Zealand’s coastline is at risk of tsunami, and they can strike at any time. It’s essential we all understand our risks and have a plan – so you know the actions you need to take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
“In a local source tsunami – like one caused by an earthquake on the Hikurangi fault along the North Island’s East Coast – immediate self-evacuation is key to survival. Our mindset needs to change – all coastal communities and households need to get tsunami ready.
“Take action today – make a plan, practice your tsunami evacuation route, and remember, if an earthquake near the coast is long or strong, get gone.”
NEMA’s Chief Science Advisor, Prof Tom Wilson says that intensification of coastal development over the last few decades, a large tsunami today is likely to be very damaging, with the potential for widespread loss of life. The greatest danger comes from tsunami that can reach our shores within just one to two hours. A large tsunami is not like a normal ocean wave; instead, it is more like a large mass of water that surges inlane past the shoreline. These waves travel quickly – in the open ocean they can be as fast as a jet plane travelling at 800km/h. Large tsunami are highly destructive for coastal communities and can cause widespread loss of life.
Prof Wilson says research into the 5 March 2021 tsunami sequence shows that people often wait for an official warning before evacuating, when they should leave straight away upon experiencing a long or strong earthquake near the coast.
“Awareness of tsunami threat is high, but the science tells us that people aren’t always doing the right thing in the heat of the moment. The more we plan and practice now, the easier it will be when we have a real tsunami event.
“The National Tsunami Evacuation Zone Map lets you look up the address of anywhere you live, work or play, and it will tell you straight away if you’re in a tsunami evacuation zone. Give it a go now and practice your route. It’s a nifty tool that could save your life.” (ref. https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/tsunami/tsunami-evacuation-zones )
Take these small steps today to get yourself tsunami ready:
