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Home . International Insurance News . AUS / NZ . Tsunami in the South Pacific

Tsunami in the South Pacific

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

On 29 September 2009, an 8.0 magnitude undersea earthquake struck at approximately 17:48 GMT south west of the islands of American Samoa in the South Pacific, triggering tsunami warnings for most of the western Pacific Ocean, including locations as far afield as New Zealand, Japan and Hawaii.

The undersea earthquake caused waves of up to six metres high to hit the southern coastlines of islands in Samoa and American Samoa, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure. The worst affected regions in Samoa are Savaii Island and the southern side of the country's main island of Upolu; local authorities have reported at least 47 deaths, and several holiday resorts have been damaged or destroyed. American Samoa's main island of Tutuila and its capital Pago Pago have also been seriously affected; at least 14 people were reportedly killed when the waves destroyed several coastal villages. Tsunami waves also struck the Tongan island of Niuatoputapu, located just south of Samoa; at least ten people died, although most of the damage to the island appears to be along its northern coastline. Rescue operations are still underway on the affected islands, and the full extent of the damage and number of casualties has yet to be determined

Although tsunami warnings were issued across the Pacific Ocean, the tsunami appears to only have affected Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. Warnings for other locations in the Pacific have been cancelled. However, further seismic activity may trigger additional tsunami waves, and travellers are advised to monitor local media for any warnings.

Safety advice

*   Tsunamis are most often caused by earthquakes. Should you feel an earthquake that lasts for 20 seconds or longer or should the sea suddenly recede from the shoreline, do not wait for an official order to evacuate, move immediately to higher ground.
*   As tsunamis consist of a series of waves, the first wave to arrive may not be the largest. Waves can arrive up to an hour apart, so do not presume that it is safe to return to low-lying areas once the first wave has subsided. Remain on higher ground for several hours after the first wave and only return to low-lying areas once these have been declared safe by the relevant authorities.
*   If possible, keep something bright such as a handkerchief on your person to attract the attention of search parties if necessary.
*   As you move to higher ground, avoid rivers or streams which lead to the sea, as these areas are likely to experience flooding (particularly in the lower reaches).
*   In the event that you are unable to evacuate and move to higher ground before flooding begins, it may be possible to seek refuge in high, multi-storey, reinforced concrete buildings. The upper levels of these buildings should provide adequate sanctuary. Take note that lesser structures are not likely to be designed to withstand the impact of a tsunami and should therefore be avoided.
*   Boats at sea are unlikely to experience the effects of a tsunami. In the event that a tsunami warning is issued and you are at sea, remain in deep water and away from the coastline until officials have declared it safe to return to port. To remain onboard a boat in port is extremely dangerous, as there is a great risk that vessels in harbour will be destroyed. If time allows and competent government authorities declare it safe to do so, it may be advisable for a boat in port to leave its moorings and head out to sea before a tsunami arrives.

What to do after a tsunami

Once authorities have announced that the tsunami has passed and that further flooding is unlikely, it may be possible to return to affected low-lying areas. However, such areas should be approached with extreme caution.

*   Damaged buildings may be structurally unstable and should be avoided. Electricity supplies may have been interrupted, with damaged lines and cables posing a serious risk of electrocution.
*   The tsunami is likely to have shifted large movable objects such as motor vehicles, which together with other debris may block important access routes. Caution should be exercised in negotiating this debris, as it may include objects dangerous to personal health and safety.
*   The flood waters may have flushed a host of dangerous animals, such as snakes and scorpions, out of their normal environment. Remain vigilant to avoid coming into close contact with these animals.
*   Every tsunami will result in varying degrees of damage to infrastructure. In the case of a large tsunami, it is likely that water, sanitation and electricity infrastructure will be damaged and that essential services (such as policing and medical care) will be disrupted. In a post-tsunami environment, outbreaks of malaria, cholera and other waterborne diseases can be expected; precautions to safeguard against these diseases should be taken. In this regard personal hygiene and securing potable water supplies are vitally important.

Courtesy red24

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