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A group of scientists is heading to the Chatham Islands this week to mark the 150th anniversary of the tsunami that caused fatalities and widespread destruction in New Zealand.
On August 14, 1868, a large seafloor earthquake off the coast of Peru caused a tsunami that travelled across the Pacific and hit the Chatham Islands. The official death toll is unclear, but it is believed up to 20 people may have perished. The entire Chatham Island coastline was affected while Banks Peninsula, Lyttelton, Oamaru, Timaru, and Port Chalmers in Dunedin took the brunt of the impact.
According to Hamish Campbell, of GNS Science, the event is believed to be the only recorded instance of a tsunami causing deaths in New Zealand in historic times. It was also the first tsunami in New Zealand to be documented in detail.
Now Campbell and other scientists will join local residents in a memorial event at Waitangi West Beach on Chatham Island. The commemoration will include a formal blessing in recognition of the event.
“In 1868 there was quite a large community living in this part of Chatham Island [Waitangi West and Tupuangi] and it was very badly affected,” Campbell said. “The purpose of the memorial event is to raise public awareness and promote educational opportunities about the major natural hazards - earthquakes, tsunami, volcanism, landslides, and extreme weather - and how society can become more resilient and co-exist with them.”
Campbell noted the 1868 tsunami hit without warning - but today the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii monitors earthquakes and sea levels around the Pacific so that prompt alerts can be issued for any abnormal activity.
“Tsunami warnings are broadcast by electronic media and on social media,” he said. “But there may not be time for official warnings if a tsunami is generated close to New Zealand.”
Campbell added that if people feel earthquake shaking that lasts for a minute, or longer or if they feel strong shaking that makes it hard to stand up, they should evacuate immediately inland or to higher ground.
