Background Information on Tsunamis
A tsunami is a series of ocean waves caused by a large geological disturbance, such as a volcano eruption, earthquake, or landslide. This can cause the sea to rise up and form huge walls of water that can move at incredible speeds and cause massive destruction. The most famous example of this was the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which caused devastation throughout the region.
Is There Going to be a Tsunami in New Zealand?
Well, is there a chance of a tsunami occurring in New Zealand? The short answer is yes, but thankfully the chances of one taking place is slim. New Zealand is part of the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, which experiences frequent seismic activity. This due to the edges of tectonic plates meeting in this area. Although this activity is seen as the primary cause of fatalities, the risk of a tsunami is still low.
Even though the chances of a tsunami happening in New Zealand are low, the potential damage and destruction one could cause is still very real. Not only would it cause the destruction of buildings and settlements, but the aftermath could cause a far reaching impact. Petrol and electric supplies are the first to be affected, followed by water supplies, which can often take several months to repair.
What Experts Are Saying
Experts have recommended that areas of New Zealand that are at high risk of a tsunami should take extra precautionary measures. Marine biologists at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have made specific safety recommendations, including the establishment of an early-warning system that could alert people if a tsunami is detected. In addition, the NIWA have also suggested that communities in higher-risk areas need to develop evacuation plans, and devote resources to researching and forecasting potential tsunamis.
Geologists have also reported that the north and south of the country are at a higher risk of being affected by a tsunami. It has been suggested that this is because of the ‘ring of fire’ that surrounds the Pacific Ocean. However, the further south you go, the faster the waves will travel, meaning the waves would lose energy by the time they reached New Zealand.
Perspective of Local Communities
The people of New Zealand have taken the level of risk very seriously, with many towns and cities on the coast doing what they can to prepare for the worst. Schools and universities have taken the matter into their own hands by providing students with earthquake and tsunami preparedness lessons, and holding regular drills. In addition to this, many local authorities have helped to build tsunami walls and barriers, as a way of reducing the impact of any potential tsunami.
However, some people are not as convinced of the potential danger. In some cases, people have expressed doubt about the need for precautionary measures, citing the low risk of a tsunami taking place in New Zealand as a reason not to take any action. Despite this, it is better to be safe than sorry, and the best course of action is still to prepare for any potential event.
Risk Prevention Efforts
Aside from the actions taken by communities, the government has also done its part to reduce the risk of any potential tsunami. The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) has set up plans and resources to educate people on tsunami preparedness, and what actions to take. In addition, they also run emergency training events, hand out advice documents to local businesses, and have a 24-hour alert system in place to alert people of any potential threats.
QuakeCORE, a specific preparedness campaign, was set up to help educate and inform people about the risks of a tsunami. The core idea behind this campaign was to make people aware and teach them what to do in the event of one taking place. This campaign has had tremendous success, with hundreds of thousands of people across the country being educated on the dangers of a tsunami.
Predicting Tsunamis
New Zealand is home to several research institutions and geological surveys that are devoted to the monitoring, predicting, and researching of tsunamis. The Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) operates several monitoring stations on the seabed and onshore, which can detect and measure seismic activity and tsunami waves. This information is passed on to the GNS Science Seismology group, which then analyses the data and provides the public with regular updates.
In addition to detecting activity, the GNS have also developed techniques to help predict when and where a tsunami might occur. Using evidence from previous tsunamis, the GNS are able to identify potential triggers and alert people ahead of time. This can be a huge help when it comes to helping protect people from any potential danger.
Tsunami Warnings
When a tsunami is detected, or suspected, the MCDEM will broadcast a tsunami warning. In addition to this, they may also activate large public alarms and issue other warnings through sirens, radio, and television. All of these warnings will advise people to seek shelter, and to evacuate the area if necessary.
In places that are known for high-risk tsunamis, sirens, signs, and other warning systems have been put into place to warn people. However, should a tsunami still be undetected or undetectable, then the MCDEM will issue an additional warning via their Rapid Assessment Guides (RAGs). These guides provide people with information about the risks of a tsunami, and how they should go about finding safety.
Mitigating the Risks of a Tsunami
The first line of defence in mitigating the risk of a tsunami is to make sure people are well-informed about the dangers and what to do in case of a potential event. Schools, universities, businesses, and communities should all be aware of what to do should one occur. In addition, people should also organise and practice evacuation plans for when a warning is issued.
Another key factor in mitigating the risk is by making sure that communities, towns, and cities are well equipped and prepared for any potential disaster. This includes the construction of sea walls and barriers, as well as the understanding of the risks associated with the area. Additionally, all construction and development within these areas should adhere to building codes to help reduce the damage and destruction that a tsunami may cause.
The Importance of Education and Prevention
Ultimately, the most important factor in mitigating the risks of a tsunami is education and prevention. People must be aware of the dangers and what to do should one occur. Having an evacuation plan in place is essential, and being able to access all the necessary information quickly and effectively is also essential.
Furthermore, prevention is also key. By constructing sea walls and ensuring that all construction and development abides to building codes, the potential damage caused by a tsunami can be reduced. Additionally, investing in preventative research and monitoring systems can help alert people to any potential danger.
The Need for Early Detection
Early detection is essential in any effort to reduce the risk of a tsunami. The sooner a threat is detected, the sooner people can be evacuated and warned of the potential danger. Research institutions, such as the GNS, are essential in helping detect tsunamis and assess the risks. Additionally, investing in early-warning systems can be very beneficial in alerting people and making sure they know what to do.
Finally, the government must also take action. The MCDEM are essential in their role as the lead emergency organisation. They have done a great job of ensuring that people are aware of the dangers and what to do, but they also need to invest in better detection and early-warning systems.
Conclusion
Although the chances of a tsunami taking place in New Zealand are low, the potential destruction and damage one could cause is very real. It is essential that people are aware of the risks, and that they take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their communities. The government, in conjunction with research institutions and local communities must play an active role in monitoring, assessing, and predicting any potential tsunami. Early detection, knowledge, and prevention is key in ensuring the safety of everyone in the event of an incident.
