Media Advisory

Tsunami watch initial
For immediate release: 12.15pm Thursday 8 October 2009

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management has advised the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Group that an earthquake has occurred with these preliminary parameters.

ORIGIN TIME - 2203Z 07 OCT 2009
COORDINATES - 13.0 SOUTH 166.3 EAST
DEPTH - 33 KM
LOCATION - VANUATU ISLANDS
MAGNITUDE - 8.0

It is not known that a Tsunami was generated. This warning is based only on the earthquake evaluation. An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive Tsunami that can strike coastlines near the Epicenter within minutes and more distance coastlines within hours. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center will monitor sea level data from gauges near the earthquake to determine if a Tsunami was generated and estimate the severity of the threat.

No further information is available at this time.

Members of the public should listen to radio announcements and contact their district and city councils for further advice.

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