Media Release

Issued 17:31 05 December 2018

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and GNS Science are currently assessing whether the magnitude 7.6 SOUTHEAST OF LOYALTY ISLANDS earthquake at 2018-12-05 5:18 PM has created a tsunami that could affect New Zealand.

If a tsunami has been generated in this location it is not likely to arrive in New Zealand for at least 3 hours.

We will send a further update to media as soon as the initial assessment has been completed. Updates will also be published on our website www.civildefence.govt.nz, NZCivilDefence Facebook page and Twitter @NZCivilDefence.
Only messages issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management represent the official warning status for New Zealand. Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre messages do not represent the official warning status for New Zealand.

ENDS