Civil Defence says the first wave was recorded by a coastal gauge at 7:10am after a wave arrived at Raoul Island in the Kermadecs at 6:35am.

Initial waves are in the order of 15 centimetres. See local advice here .

David Coetzee of Civil Defence told ONE News: It’s rather insignificant though at this stage and will be barely visible to the naked eye.”

However he emphasised the first arrival is seldom the largest and Civil Defence modelling points to the most significant activity to be one to two hours onwards.

The first wave to arrive in New Zealand had been calculated to be in the area around North Cape at approximately 6:23am.

Waves of 20 centimetres were observed in Nauru around 4:30am.

The New Zealand Tsunami Expert Panel assessment is that the tsunami is a marine threat and a minor land threat in some areas. A marine threat means strong and unusual currents are possible in the sea, rivers and estuaries.

At 2am Civil Defence said that a minor land threat (1-3 metre wave heights) now exists in Northland between Ahipara and the Karikari Peninsula as well as in the Bay of Islands and the Chatham Islands. CD describes a minor land threat “a small potential for impacts on beaches in these areas”.

Earlier it has assessed the risk as marine only.

People have been warned to stay away from beaches, as the tsunami is expected to bring strong currents to the top of the North Island.

Damage to boats is possible and people are encouraged to secure them if possible.

CD says pre-calculated tsunami models indicate that the largest impact is expected along the coasts of the central and northern North Island, from East Cape northwards and from Kaipara northwards.

It said the wave is expected to coincide with a low tide, but waves may continue for several hours.

Coetzee said hourly advice was being received on the tsunami threat.

He said people should not “go sightseeing”. The advice to stay out of the water included estuaries.

The warning of a potential tsunami will remain in effect until it is upgraded to a national warning or cancelled by the Ministry of Civil Defence. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre lifted the tsunami warning it had issued earlier for New Zealand.

Tsunami Video

0751, 12 March, 2011
A tsunami marine and minor land threat warning is in effect for New Zealand:
The tsunami warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Warning for New Zealand in response to the above earthquake. Confirmation has been received that a tsunami was generated. Wave heights of up to 4 metres have been measured in coastal Japan. Wave heights of 0.2 m have been observed in Nauru and Honiara.

2000, 11 March, 2011
A tsunami potential threat advisory is in effect for New Zealand:
The advisory will remain in effect until it is upgraded to a national warning or a cancellation message is issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM).

An earthquake of magnitude 8.8 has occured in Japan causing signifcant local damage.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Watch – in response to the above earthquake.

Only messages issued by MCDEM represent the official warning status for New Zealand. Local civil defence authorities may supplement these messages by applying local threat assessments.

A tsunami is possible. MCDEM and scientific advisors are assessing the severity of the threat to New Zealand.

People in coastal areas should:

1. Stay off beaches
2. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)
3. Do not go sightseeing
4. Share this information with family, neighbours and friends
5. Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates
6. Follow instructions of your local Civil Defence authorities.

MCDEM and scientific advisors are closely monitoring the situation to determine whether a tsunami has been generated and to assess the severity of the threat to New Zealand. More information about this event will follow.
Tsunami Video

-Penn slammer 560L and penn powerstick combo, spooled with 30lb yellow powerpro braid, had just been brought and never used.

-tackle box with probably around a k of tackle in it (leatherman, fillet and bait knife, scales, braid scissors, various lures, various terminal tackle, various lines (braid, mono, supple and tough trace)

this was all stolen from my mothers rav4 parked on my property in pukerua bay, wellington while i was working graveyard on thursday night. Could anyone please let me know if they hear or SEE anything. The last two are just neiusence value but that surfcaster belonged to my late father, he taught me to cast with it and to me its not really replaceable.

thanks

Geoff

Several NASA satellites have been monitoring the growth of powerful and massive Cyclone Yasi and providing data on clouds, rainfall and intensity to forecasters as it nears Queensland, Australia. NASA data shows where the heaviest rainfall is occurring, frigid temperatures at the top of its thunderstorms and the size of Yasi’s eye.

Tropical cyclone Yasi became much more powerful and was upgraded to a dangerous category fpur tropical cyclone on the Saffir Simpson scale on February 1, 2011.

A Cyclone Warning is now in effect for Queensland, Australia for coastal areas from Cape Melville to Sarina, extending inland to east of Croydon to Hughenden. A Cyclone Watch is in effect for coastal areas from Lockhart River to Cape Melville, and in the tropical interior north of Winton to Sarina.

Yasi was seen by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite when it passed over on Febuary 1, 2011 at 0356 UTC (Jan. 31 at 10:56 p.m. EST/1:56 p.m. Australia/Brisbane local time). TRMM precipitation data collected with that pass revealed that intensifying Yasi had a small eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. The heaviest rainfall was falling mostly on the south and eastern sides of the storm at a rate of about 2 inches (50 mm) per hour. Most of the rainfall in the rest of the storm was moderate, falling at a rate between .78 to 1.57 inches (20-40 mm) per hour.

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