NZ issues tsunami potential threat warning following Solomon Islands quake

New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) issued a tsunami potential threat advisory for all of New Zealand coastal areas including the Chatham Islands, following a major earthquake in the Pacific nation of Solomon Islands on Sunday morning.

The Civil Defence advisedpeople in coastal areas should note that a tsunami is possible, listen to the radio/TV for further assessment and updates, and follow instructions of their local Civil Defence authorities.

A shallow magnitude 7.6 earthquake has hit near Solomon Islands on Sunday morning. The major quake was initially recorded by the U. S. Geological Survey as 8.3 and was centred south-east of the Solomons at a depth of 10 km.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami warning is in effect for Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia and Tuvalu. A watch is also in effect for a number of other Pacific countries, including Fiji, Samoa, Indonesia and New Zealand, it said.