The Auckland area most at-risk from tsunami damage has been revealed, and it's smaller than previously thought.
Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) and Auckland Council released their new tsunami risk map on Thursday, which shows coastal and inland flood risk from tsunami.
AEM's head of operations John Cranfield urged locals to check the new Hazard Viewer / Te Mapi Tirotiro Pūmate tool online.
“Our new tsunami wave modelling is more accurate and indicates the tsunami risk for much of the Auckland coastline to be lower than previously expected," Cranfield said.
The maps cover the entire Tāmaki Makaurau region, including Aotea Great Barrier Island and the Hauraki Gulf islands.
Cranfielf said they show easy-to-understand red (coastal) and yellow (inland) zones at risk.
“The red zone shows the area needing to be evacuated in a shore and marine tsunami threat," he explained.
"The yellow zone shows the area needing to be evacuated where there is a land tsunami threat," he added.
AEM and Auckland Council created the maps using modelled earthquakes from real fault lines around the Pacific.
The model replicates how tsunami waves are generated and then travel across the ocean, impacted by islands and seafloor topography as they go.
Councillor and chair of the council's Emergency Management Committee Sharon Stewart, said it's pleasing the new maps show less area at risk, but warns the public should still be aware of the threat tsunamI bring.
"People need to remain prepared to move quickly in a tsunami emergency," Stewart stressed.
She said areas surrounding the inner Manukau, Kaipara, and Waitematā Harbours have had their risk reduced.
“However, areas more exposed to the Pacific Ocean like Aotea Great Barrier Island and Auckland’s north-eastern coastal communities are still at risk of large tsunami, as is anyone that enjoys the beaches and marine areas of the region," she added.
Tsunami warnings are published on the National Emergency Management Agency's website and social media pages, and also AEM's website and socials. News media, radio and television will also have updates.
People may also receive emergency mobile alerts in the event of a tsunami.
Check out tsunami preparedness tips here.
