Tsunami alert issued in New Zealand, after earthquake

Wellington, Jun 7: Hours after tsunami warnings were issued after a big earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands, 1100 kms away from North Auckland, people are raising questions if New Zealand is ready to face such big disaster.

According to scientists, the country was never in any danger of tsunami hitting the shores as the seismic energy, after a big earthquake was directed from the country.

A tsunami alert was issued in the country after a earthquake of 7.6 magnitude hit the Kermadec Islands on Jul 7 (today). Though the warnings were cancelled, people are advised to stay off shore for the entire day.

"I appreciate it can be pretty confusing," said David Coetzee, Civil Defence operations manager, accepting that the messages about a Tsunami warning were confusing enough.

"Them using the word 'warning' is really the problem," he added.

"We want to get them to not to use that, rather just express the information in terms of what they know but not put our country under warnings."

Scientists admitted that the tsunami warning was small and nothing to worry about.

"The characteristics of the wave as measured at the (gauge) gave us a degree of confidence that only a small tsunami had been generated and New Zealand was not in its main path," said Dr William Power, Tsunami scientist, GNS science.

According to the authorities in the parts of Auckland and other parts of the North Island, there was little to worry about, though there was swell in coastal areas.

OneIndia News