Kaikoura Earthquake and Tsunami: 14 November 2016 Post Event Report (National Emergency Management Agency response)

The Kaikoura Earthquake and Tsunami: 14 November 2016 Post Event Report (National Emergency Management Agency response) outlines the Agency’s response to the Kaikoura earthquake and tsunami on 14 November 2016.

Following any significant emergency, the National Emergency Management Agency reflects on how well things went while also looking for opportunities to make things better – there is no better time to identify improvements than immediately after an emergency. Our report has concluded that for the response on 14 November 2016, correct procedures were followed, however it also recognises that the complexity of the earthquake and subsequent rapidly changing information had a direct bearing on the initial response.

• Kaikoura Earthquake and Tsunami: 14 November 2016 Post Event Report (National Emergency Management Agency response) (.pdf 892kb)

The Kaikoura earthquake on 14 November 2016 was a local source event – that is, an earthquake that occurs within circa 500km of New Zealand.

In a local source event there is very little time to issue official warnings, and warnings may not reach the areas nearest to the earthquake before the first tsunami waves arrive. People must therefore not wait for official warnings but instead know the natural warning signs of tsunami and take appropriate action.

If you are at the coast and experience any of the following:

• Feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more,
• See a sudden rise or fall in sea level,
• Hear loud and unusual noises from the sea,

Move immediately to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can.

Learn what to do before, during and after a tsunami.

The National Emergency Management Agency is responsible for tsunami warnings. When an offshore earthquake occurs which has the potential to generate a tsunami, the Agency has a 24-7 arrangement with Geonet to source scientific advice to inform notifications to the public.

When time allows the advice is further supported by the Tsunami Experts Panel - a group of tsunami science experts convened by Geonet to inform ongoing advice or updates to the public. As noted above, the Agency advises people to take immediate action following a local source earthquake.

 

Published: May 4, 2017, 2:00 PM