Pacific Tsunami

New Zealand tsunami alert lifted

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-12 16:06

WELLINGTON - New Zealand Civil Defence said on Saturday no further tsunami threat exists for New Zealand coastlines as a result of the Japan earthquake and its alert for New Zealand has been cancelled.

Whirlpools are caused by a tsunami in Fukushima prefecture March 11, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. [Photo/Agencies]

However, the Civil Defence advisory issued at 5:30 pm on Saturday said minor fluctuations in sea level may continue for up to 48 hours and caution is advised on beaches and in marine environments.

Tidal surges following the quake reached New Zealand on Saturday,and in some locations, waves were up to 1 metre high.

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Civil Defence said the first waves at Raoul Island in the Kermadecs were recorded at 6:35 am on Saturday (17:35 GMT Friday) and the first at North Cape were at 7:10 am.

The initial waves were 15 cm high but subsequently increased to up to 70 cm.

There have been reports of some harbours and bays experiencing waves of up to 1 metre and tidal surges.

A Civil Defence advisory issued at 4:13 pm on Saturday said Chatham Islands had recorded sea level changes of more than 1 meter.

A marine threat was in place for the northern North Island from Kaipara to Ahipara and south of the Karikari Peninsula, around Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty to Gisborne.

The threat means strong and unusual currents are possible in the sea, river mouths and estuaries and could damage small boats.