Tsunami warning for Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, NZ cancelled
A 7.7 earthquake near New Caledonia prompted a tsunami warning for Lord Howe Island with residents urged to avoid the water.
NSW
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Lord Howe Island has escaped unscathed from tsunami waves created by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake near New Caledonia overnight.
A warning was issued for the Australian island, Norfolk Island, South Pacific islands and New Zealand at 2.15am on Thursday.
“TSUNAMI CONFIRMED,” the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said.
“Tsunami affecting marine area commencing after 2.45am AEDT Thursday, persisting for several hours.”
There has just been a magnitude 7-8 earthquake near New Caledonia in the western Pacific where the Australian Plate is colliding with and subducting beneath the Pacific Plate. It was preceded by a couple of M6 foreshocks <30 mins before. A tsunami warning is currently active. pic.twitter.com/vQDU7UTD6P
— Dr Stephen Hicks 🇪🇺 (@seismo_steve) February 10, 2021
There is a Marine Tsunami Warning for Lord Howe Island, meaning the possibility of DANGEROUS RIPS, WAVES AND STRONG OCEAN CURRENTS, AND SOME LOCALISED OVERFLOW ONTO THE IMMEDIATE FORESHORE. Evacuations are not necessary for Marine Threat areas.
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) February 10, 2021
There were similar warnings issued by the NSW Bureau also warning of dangerous rips, waves and strong ocean currents at Lord Howe Island.
It said evacuations were not necessary for marine areas but people in those locations were advised to get out of the water and move away from the coastline.
The warning for Lord Howe was cancelled by 7.30am after the Bureau advised that “the main tsunami waves have passed” the island’s expected locations.
“Small unusual waves may continue,” a statement said.
“NSW State Emergency Service will advise the All Clear when safe to return to coastal areas.”
TSUNAMI CONFIRMED. Observation - Norfolk Is at 2:15am AEDT. MARINE THREAT warning for LORD HOWE ISLAND. Issued by JATWC 3:01 AM AEDT Thu 11 Feb 2021. Tsunami affecting marine area commencing after 2:45 am AEDT Thu, persisting for several hours Warnings at: https://t.co/cuhd1HTN87 pic.twitter.com/KtL1fMMoyh
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) February 10, 2021
Lord Howe Island has boomed as a popular tourist destination since COVID restrictions were eased.
The island, 600km off the coast of NSW, became one of the country’s most sought after tourist destinations after Chris Hemsworth posted a photo of himself on the island late last year.
The United State Geological Survey said the quake struck about 415km east of Vao in New Caledonia at a depth of 10 kilometres.
Waves reaching between 30cm and one metre above the tide level are possible for the coasts of Fiji, New Zealand and Vanuatu.
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