Tsunami warnings for Pacific islands: Latest after earthquake hits New Caledonia
Pacific Island Tsunami Warnings: When Did an Earthquake Hit New Caledonia? Was there a tsunami?
- Everything you need to know about the recent New Caledonia earthquake
People in the South Pacific have been told to avoid coastal areas after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southeast of New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said tsunami waves of 0.3 to 1 meter above tide level were possible for some coastal areas of Vanuatu.
But when was the New Caledonia earthquake actually? Was there a tsunami in the area?
Read on below for everything you need to know about the latest Pacific Islands tsunami warnings.
After police evacuated the coast and tsunami sirens were activated in New Caledonia, the tsunami warning in the area was later lifted. Pictured: People look out to the coast from the Vierge du Pacifique in Noumea after the earthquake hit
When was the New Caledonia earthquake?
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake struck on Friday, May 19, at a depth of about 38 km (24 mi).
Waves below that level were set for 25 island groups, including Tonga and Tuvalu, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office had previously released an information bulletin advising people to evacuate from coastal areas and seek higher ground.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said there was no tsunami threat for mainland Australia.
However, a threat warning has been issued for Lord Howe Island, located in the Tasman Sea, 780 km (421 nautical miles) northeast of Sydney
There are also warnings for many areas along New Zealand’s west coast.
The country’s civil protection agency issued a notice warning people in the area to “get out of the water, away from beaches and coastal areas, and away from ports, marinas, rivers or estuaries.”
Tsunami alert lifted in New Caledonia
A 22 cm tsunami was observed near New Caledonia, according to an earlier threat warning.
However, after police evacuated the coast and tsunami sirens were activated in New Caledonia, the tsunami warning in the area was later lifted.
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit the Loyalty Islands
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a statement: “Based on all available data, the tsunami threat from this earthquake has now passed.”
It has also said that small waves could hit other Pacific islands, including Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea and Guam.
The area is part of the famous Pacific Ring of Fire, a group of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur.