First wave hits Chatham Islands at 20cm; more likely to come

[kevinbgoode]

That measures only about eight inches, but the alert continues for the east coast of New Zealand, with waves estimated to reach 1-3 meters (3.3 to 9.8 feet) later Sunday morning (Saturday afternoon here).

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10629036

[kevinbgoode]

1. New Zealand expects little damage;

however, the alert is still on - the "surge" is up to 30 cm on the Chatham Islands, but officials warn it could be larger by the time it hits New Zealand.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3384728/Tsunami-alert-for-New-Zealand-after-massive-Chile-quake

[kevinbgoode]

4. Wellington news updates. . .

9.46am: Wispering Sands Beachfront Motel owner Peter Martin had been watching the sea in Gisborne and said there had been a noticeable drop in the water level.

"The water went out a wee bit and when the water dropped the water came out of the river water … the water's looking quite dirty," he said.

"I think now the … sea level's starting to come back in," he said.

There had been a voluntary evacuation notice issued but locals were pretty relaxed.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3384728/Tsunami-alert-for-New-Zealand-after-massive-Chile-quake

[kevinbgoode]

5. 10:02 a.m. update

10.02am: Gauges are reporting a tsunami of about half a metre at the Chatham Islands, and 20cm at East Cape, Civil Defence emergency management has reported.

Changes in water level - seen as a precursor to a tsunami - have been seen is Gisborne, and gauges show changes in the Hawke's Bay and at Castlepoint, on the Wairarapa coast.

Initial surges were likely to be smaller than those to follow, Civil Defence warned. It was expected that the greatest wave heights could occur between six and 12 hours after the initial arrivals.

[kevinbgoode]

2. My gosh...the Chatham Islands sound like a lovely, isolated place!

800 km. east of New Zealand. . .lots of great fishing, only two islands inhabited and the population is only 750. . .and their original history is both isolated and peaceful....

This looks like a dream vacation spot. . .

http://www.chathams.com/framesets/attractset.html

[kentauros]

6. ALL of New Zealand is a dream vacation spot!

:D

[Igel]

10. I love your link.

"New Zealand Maori settlement soon followed. The Islands' recent history is as tempestuous as the surrounding bountiful sea which first attracted the new settlers."

Maori "settlement" was a bloodbath and all but attempted genocide: Killing, enslavement, forbidding Moriori to marry or have children with other Moriori. About 2000 Moriori when the Maori invaded to perhaps 100 in a bit under 30 years, with a fair number of 1/2 Moriori children around.

Their "original" history was probably peaceful. But when their cousins showed up, ooh, were there ever problems. "Tempestuous," indeed.

[kevinbgoode]

3. Update: Wave hits Chatham at .5 meters...about 1.7 feet...

reported by New Zealand Herald. . .

[kevinbgoode]

7. Update: water receding noted in Chatham Islands

An hour after the tsunami was due to hit the Chatham Islands, residents have seen big changes in water level, but no big wave.

Chatham Islanders took to what little high ground there is, after warnings that a major earthquake in Chile overnight had generated a tsunami.

One resident said sea levels had changed dramatically.

"Everyone's gone to higher ground we are on higher ground but we've got a perfect view of the bay," Chris told NZPA. She did not want to give her surname.

"The water is starting to disappear from round the bay, all the rocks are uncovered, the water is definitely moving out. Now the rocks are covered up again. There's no big wall of water yet. It looks very unusual, very unusual.

"It's kind of high tide here at the moment but sort of in no time the rocks became uncovered but they're covered up again. It's (happening) very slowly."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3384991/No-big-wave-for-Chathams

[jpak]

8. That is NOT good - hope those folks stay put on high ground

n/t

[kevinbgoode]

9. Update: Major water recession at Gisborne on New Zealand coast

"Gisborne residents have had a quick change of heart about returning home this morning, when sea levels dropped suddenly - signalling a tsunami was imminent.

A witness said the water went "a long, long way out", dropping below low tide levels, even though it was around high tide.

Civil Defence had now blocked off all roads to the beaches.

There were still "idiots" been seen heading to the beach with surfboards on their cars, the witness said.

Civil Defence volunteers and emergency service personnel had been door knocking at beachfront homes in the city and small settlements along the East Coast advising people of the warning and recommending they move inland or to higher ground.

At that stage many people had already been contacted by relatives, neighbours and friends who had already heard of the warning in some cases on overseas media.

Most residents, by now familiar with the procedure after several alerts over the past two years, moved to higher ground automatically, "just in case".

Many boat owners, including Eastland Port, put vessels out to sea.

By 8am when the wave was due to arrive, hill tops in and around Gisborne were packed with people and cars. On Kaiti Hill overlooking the city and port, a few people could also be seen on the city beachfront below, waiting to watch for a wave.

An hour after the tsunami was due to hit the Chatham Islands, residents have seen big changes in water level, but no big wave."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3385014/Sea-level-drop-a-warning-for-Gisborne