According to the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), a magnitude 8 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of New Zealand early Friday, causing tsunami warnings.
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 05: Bill Fry, GNS Seismologist Tectonophysicist speaks with media on March 05, 2021 in Wellington, New Zealand. Tsunami warnings are in place for large parts of the New Zealand North Island coast following a series of earthquakes earlier today. (Photo by Mark Tantrum/Getty Images)
NZ Earthquake and Tsunami: Evacuation to HIgher Ground
Thousands of residents have clustered on high ground throughout New Zealand, where waves of up to 3 meters high and floods are still threats.
Hundreds of thousands of people evacuated to safer ground in New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu on Friday (Mar 5) after a series of strong earthquakes triggered a Pacific-wide tsunami warning.
Authorities requested evacuations around Noumea as warning sirens sounded across the city, citing concerns of waves of up to three meters approaching the French territory.
"People must evacuate coastal areas and cease all water sports," emergency services spokesman Alexandre Rosignol told public radio. "They should not pick up their children at schools to avoid causing traffic jams."
Communities along stretches of New Zealand's North Island were warned to evacuate as tsunami warning sirens wailed after an 8.1-magnitude earthquake, which accompanied earlier tremors measuring 7.4 and 7.2 the same area.
NEMA advised People Not to Shelter at Home
"People living near the coast should flee to the nearest high ground as soon as possible, out of all tsunami evacuation areas, or as far inland as possible."
Surfers at Fitzroy Beach in New Plymouth have disobeyed the warning to keep away from the sea, with Radio New Zealand announcing a party of 30 in the water, plus more swimmers.
Dale, a surfer, told RNZ, "I hope we're pretty comfortable here." (To be sure, official guidance suggests otherwise.)
Related Article: Early February 2021: New Zealand Tsunami Warning Canceled: Earthquake Eases, Small Unusual Waves Expected
Updates from the Prime Minister
At 4 p.m. Australian time (around 12 a.m. EST), Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to provide an update on the tsunami threat as well as any changes to the Covid warning stage. (At this stage, Auckland's warning level three lockout is set to end on Saturday night.)
"Hope all is safe out there," Ardern wrote on Instagram after the 2.30 a.m. quake, using a screengrab from the Geonet tracking platform.
Kiri Allan, the civil defense minister, says a 6.2-magnitude aftershock has just struck the Kermadec islands, but that this is to be predicted considering the scale of the initial quake.
Even if there seems to be no danger, she is requesting that citizens obey civil defense orders. "Although it can seem like there isn't anything going on at times, there is... please do remain elevated or inland to keep your family safe." She has been impressed by the country's "pretty amazing peaceful reaction," she says. "A lot of people had to evacuate, and a lot of people had to change their plans."
Tsunami Impact
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia, a 64cm tsunami surge has impacted the shores of Norfolk Island, according to observations. It's likely that more tsunamis will strike.
Fortunately, the biggest waves have gone, according to GNS, and the hazard level has been reduced.
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