Civil Defence National Advisory Issued After 7.7mag Earthquake at Loyalty Islands

Issued by Civil Defence Waikato

Update #5 4:24 AM – This is the final update. See picture for areas expecting strong and unusual currents and surges at the shore.
High tides times:
• Port Waikato (West Coast) Thursday 1022 and 2241 NZDT
• Tararu (Firth of Thames) Thursday 0747 and 2003 NZDT
• Whitianga 0720 and 1930 NZDT
Update #4 4:12 AM – Loyalty Islands earthquake
NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY – EXPECT STRONG AND UNUSUAL CURRENTS AND UNPREDICTABLE SURGES AT THE SHORE
We expect New Zealand coastal areas to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake SOUTHEAST OF LOYALTY ISLANDS at 2021-02-11 2:20 AM.
Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore.
People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries.
AREAS UNDER THREAT:
From AHIPARA to BAY OF ISLANDS,
GREAT BARRIER ISLAND and
from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY.
ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN AREAS UNDER THREAT:
STAY OFF THE BEACHES AND SHORE AREAS
There is no need to evacuate other areas unless directly advised by local civil defence authorities. Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected as a result of this event. We are advising people to:
• Move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries.
• Do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity as there may be dangerous and unpredictable surges.
• Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions.
• Share this information with family, neighbours and friends.
The first tsunami activity causing these strong currents and surges may reach New Zealand in the areas around North Cape at approximately 04:20am New Zealand Daylight Time. This may be later and the first tsunami activity may not be the most significant.
Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this Advisory is cancelled.
This National Advisory has been issued following an assessment of information available. The situation may change
Update #3 4:07 AM – Loyalty Islands earthquake
Strong and unusual currents are expected off the west coast. Official message next.
Update #2 3:57 AM – Loyalty Islands earthquake
Still awaiting detailed assessment but here’s what I can tell you:
It is going to be low tide on the west coast when the first possible wave arrives, and we’re just looking ahead to the implications for the high tide later this morning. But the official detailed assessment from the top tsunami scientists this morning is still coming.
Update #1 2:45 AM – Loyalty Islands earthquake
We are aware of the M7.9 earthquake southeast of the Loyalty Islands and are awaiting the assessment from the National Emergency Management Agency as to whether or not it poses any tsunami threat to New Zealand.
If a tsunami has been generated it is not likely to arrive in New Zealand for at least 3 hours. Stay tuned…