Media Release
30 September 2007
7.35pm

Auckland Islands earthquake tsunami watch

A moderate earthquake of between magnitude 7.3 and 7.4 on the Richter scale ocurred a short time ago near the Auckland Islands.

The Director of the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, John Hamilton, said that there is nothing yet to suggest that a tsunami of any size has been generated.

The GNS Science convened tsunami expert panel and NIWA scientists are monitoring and assessing information about the earthquake and sea level movements.

As a precaution, the Otago and Southland Civil Defence Emergency Management groups have been advised.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) in Hawaii has stated that there is no risk of a Pacific-wide tsunami but a small local tsunami could in theory be generated.

“We will provide updated information as it becomes available,” Mr Hamilton said.

ENDS