Tsunami

New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes and all of our coastline is at risk of tsunami. We can’t predict when they will happen, but we can protect ourselves and our family.

What is a tsunami?

A tsunami is a series of fast travelling waves caused by a large disturbance in the sea or on the ocean floor, such as an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption or meteorite. The waves can be an hour apart, and can travel many thousands of kilometres across the oceans at great speeds of up to 800 kilometres per hour.

A tsunami may go unnoticed as it crosses deep oceans, but it loses speed and gains height when it reaches shallow water. Large waves up to 15 metres or more in height can come crashing onto the land.

Even small tsunami waves can be dangerous, causing unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows near the shore. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities.

In the last 200 years, there have been at least 3 tsunami that were more than 10 metres high at the New Zealand coast. Māori mythology also speaks of large tsunami. Some were caused by distant earthquakes, some by underwater quakes not far off the coast.

Know the warning signs

There are three ‘types’ of tsunami – local, regional and distant. For a local source tsunami which could arrive in minutes, there won’t be time for an official warning. It is important to recognise the natural warning signs and act quickly.

Move immediately to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can if you are at the coast and experience any of the following:

• Feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more,
• See a sudden rise or fall in sea level,
• Hear loud and unusual noises from the sea.

With regional and distant tsunami, we will have more time and you will likely receive official and unofficial warnings. If you get a warning from friends and family, or from Civil Defence and emergency management services by text, Red Cross hazard app, radio, website, or other means, follow their instructions, and move to higher ground or as far inland as you can.

Make a plan

Early warning saves lives. Know what to do and where to go. Take some time today to make a plan with your family.

During a tsunami warning, some houses, streets and neighbourhoods may not be safe to stay in and you may have to leave home in a hurry.  If your street was evacuated where would you go? What would you take? What about pets? Do you have neighbours who might need your help? What about if you’re not at home? Is your holiday spot in a tsunami zone?

Visit the Get ready website to decide what you need to do today.

Practise evacuating to a safe zone

You can hold your own tsunami drill at home, on holiday, or in your community. Your local Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has maps of safe zones in your region. Lower Hutt has painted blue lines on the roads, evacuate past these lines. Practice getting there as quickly as you can by walking or by bike. You could also hold an earthquake drill first, to make sure everyone knows the right action to take during an earthquake – drop, cover and hold – before you evacuate.

All of New Zealand’s coastline is at risk of tsunami. Early warning saves lives. Know what to do and where to go.