While the world watched in horror the devastation caused by a massive earthquake centred in Chile, February 2010, countries thousands of miles away were put on a tsunami alert.
Concepcion Earthquake, Chile, February 2010
The 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck about 3.34am on the morning of Saturday, February 27, 2010 when most people were asleep.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck 70 miles (115 km) northeast of Concepcion at a depth of 22 miles. Hundreds of people died and communication was cut as buildings, roads and bridges collapsed. Fires also broke out.
It brought back memories of Chile's last massive earthquake which, at magnitude 9.5, is the biggest ever recorded. It struck in 1960 killing more than 1600 people, injuring 3000 and leaving an estimated 2 million people homeless. The resulting tsunami that swept across the Pacific Ocean caused 61 deaths and $75 million damage in Hawaii; 138 deaths and $50 million damage in Japan; 32 dead and missing in the Philippines.
The Pacific Ring of Fire
Countries with coastlines bordering the Pacific Ocean make up the Pacific Ring of Fire, the world's most volcanic and earthquake-prone area. It stretches 40,000 km along the Pacific Coasts of South, Central and North America; Russia; Japan; Indonesia and New Zealand.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC)
PTWC provides warnings for tsunamis to almost every country around the Pacific rim and to most of the Pacific island states. After the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile, the centre issued a tsunami warning to almost all countries in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
New Zealand Tsunami
The tsunami generated by the Chilean earthquake reached the New Zealand Chatham Islands first, with large surges of up to 2 metres reported. The New Zealand coastline was also affected by the tsunami. The Stuff media website reported several incidents where witnessess saw sea levels being first much lower then much higher, as the tsunami surged onto shore.
The effects of the tsunami were evident round the Canterbury coast, with fish left exposed and flapping as the sea level dropped quickly, it said. Large ships, including a cruise ship, were moved to deeper water off Auckland's port. Events planned either near the water or on it, were cancelled throughout New Zealand.
The national Civil Defense network, supported by coastguards and police, urged New Zealanders to keep away from the coast and off the water, although people ignored the warnings. Many heading out on small boats or seen walking along beaches seemed either unaware or unconcerned about the threat the tsunami posed.
Sources
New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence civildefence.govt.nz - 28 February 2010
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center prh.noaa.gov - 28 February 2010
United States Geological Survey usgs.gov - 28 February 2010
Karen Arnold - I'm a multi award-winning freelance writer based in the very south of New Zealand. I've had 10 years' experience as a newspaper ...
