Tsunami threat after 7.0 magnitude earthquake causes chaos in New Zealand

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake in the Kermadec Islands sparked tsunami fears in New Zealand’s North Island on Sunday morning.

For a brief moment, our closest ally across the Tasman feared its most populous city would come face-to-face with a wave a destruction.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management in New Zealand tweeted shortly before midday Sunday it had “issued a beach and marine tsunami warning following the M7.4 Kermadec Islands region earthquake”.

For eight minutes residents watched social media with bated breath for further updates on the looming disaster.

We have issued a BEACH and MARINE TSUNAMI WARNING following the M7.4 Kermadec Islands region earthquake

— MCDEM (@NZcivildefence) June 15, 2019

And then the ministry tweeted again.

“No tsunami threat to New Zealand,” the revised alert said.

“Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to NZ.”

But the confused social media updates was enough to send shivers through thousands of New Zealanders.

“Which beaches? All of NZ?” a Twitter user justifiably asked.

Another: “Need bit more information ie West or East coast or all of NZ???”

Stay safe. higher place will be better.

— prabodh kumar nayak (@prabodhn1) June 16, 2019

And another: “I’m on the Kapiti Coast. So can I stay home or move to higher ground?”

Go to higher ground, a concerned tweeter encouraged.

The earthquake occurred in the Kermadec Islands region at 10.55am.

A Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management spokesman said there may be some strong currents but there was nothing to indicate a threat to life and safety in New Zealand.

Tidal gauges at Raoul Island, which lay between the epicentre and New Zealand, had shown good news, he said.

Not land??

— snowy7077 (@snowy7077) June 15, 2019

The earthquake occurred in the Kermadec Islands region at 10.55am. Picture: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

Raoul Island is home to a Department of Conservation (DOC) station.

A DOC spokeswoman confirmed all seven staff based on Raoul Island were safe and accounted for, The New Zealand Herald reported.

“There are no other contractors or visitors on the island,” she said.

At this stage, they were unsure of any damage on the island and staff would be assessing this, she said.

The Kermadec Islands Nature Reserve and Marine Reserve is the most remote area managed by DOC and can only be visited with a special permit.

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the M7.0 Kermadec Islands region earthquake. Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to NZ. https://t.co/ccVFYQQoBr

— MCDEM (@NZcivildefence) June 15, 2019

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, which made the assessment alongside GNS Science, said earlier that if a tsunami had been generated in this location it was not likely to arrive in New Zealand for at least two hours.