Warning of South Pacific tsunami after earthquake in New Caledonia
Residents told to avoid coastal areas after magnitude 7.7 quake
19 May 2023 - 08:23
byMrinmay Dey, Lewis Jackson and Lucy Craymer
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
People across the South Pacific were told to avoid coastal areas due to the risk of tsunami waves after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Friday southeast of the Loyalty Islands in the French territory of New Caledonia.
Tsunami waves ranging from 0.3m to 1m above the tide level are possible for some coasts of Vanuatu, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, waves below that level are set for 25 island groups including Tonga and Tuvalu.
A 22cm tsunami had been observed near New Caledonia, the threat alert added.
Vanuatu warned citizens to seek higher ground, according to an official at the Vanuatu Meteorology & Geo-Hazards Department, who said the office had received calls from people on the southern islands who had felt shaking.
Australia’s meteorology bureau issued a tsunami threat for Lord Howe Island off its east coast and warned the about 450 inhabitants to leave the water’s edge due to waves and strong currents.
“We haven’t moved to higher ground and we’re probably not going to,” said Damien Ball of the Thompsons General Store on Lord Howe Islands. “We’ve been through this numerous times before and nothing ever comes of it.”
Similar warnings are in place for much of New Zealand’s west coast.
The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of about 38km.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Warning of South Pacific tsunami after earthquake in New Caledonia
Residents told to avoid coastal areas after magnitude 7.7 quake
People across the South Pacific were told to avoid coastal areas due to the risk of tsunami waves after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Friday southeast of the Loyalty Islands in the French territory of New Caledonia.
Tsunami waves ranging from 0.3m to 1m above the tide level are possible for some coasts of Vanuatu, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, waves below that level are set for 25 island groups including Tonga and Tuvalu.
A 22cm tsunami had been observed near New Caledonia, the threat alert added.
Vanuatu warned citizens to seek higher ground, according to an official at the Vanuatu Meteorology & Geo-Hazards Department, who said the office had received calls from people on the southern islands who had felt shaking.
Australia’s meteorology bureau issued a tsunami threat for Lord Howe Island off its east coast and warned the about 450 inhabitants to leave the water’s edge due to waves and strong currents.
“We haven’t moved to higher ground and we’re probably not going to,” said Damien Ball of the Thompsons General Store on Lord Howe Islands. “We’ve been through this numerous times before and nothing ever comes of it.”
Similar warnings are in place for much of New Zealand’s west coast.
The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of about 38km.
Reuters
MICHAEL BLEBY: Gonna blow? Japan updates response plan for a Mount Fuji eruption
Outsurance dodges climate catastrophes
Ecuador and Peru earthquake toll rises to at least 15
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
NEALE HILL AND IMTIAZ SOOLIMAN: Make sure the helpers have all they need
Turkey’s hoteliers upbeat over tourism sector recovery after quake
Istanbul gripped by fear of fresh quake
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.