Tsunami (Non-distructive) VANUATU ISLANDS.

[lenseman]

tsunami bulletin number 002
pacific tsunami warning center/noaa/nws
issued at 1427z 25 dec 2010

this bulletin applies to areas within and bordering the pacific
ocean and adjacent seas...except alaska...british columbia...
Washington...oregon and california.

... A tsunami warning is in effect ...

A tsunami warning is in effect for

vanuatu / new caledonia / fiji

for all other areas covered by this bulletin... It is for
information only at this time.

This bulletin is issued as advice to government agencies. Only
national and local government agencies have the authority to make
decisions regarding the official state of alert in their area and
any actions to be taken in response.

An earthquake has occurred with these preliminary parameters

origin time - 1317z 25 dec 2010
coordinates - 19.7 south 168.0 east
depth - 33 km
location - vanuatu islands
magnitude - 7.6

measurements or reports of tsunami wave activity

gauge location lat lon time ampl per
------------------- ----- ------ ----- --------------- -----
vanuatu 17.8s 168.3e 1407z 0.15m / 0.5ft 22min

lat - latitude (n-north, s-south)
lon - longitude (e-east, w-west)
time - time of the measurement (z is utc is greenwich time)
ampl - tsunami amplitude measured relative to normal sea level.
It is ...not... Crest-to-trough wave height.
Values are given in both meters(m) and feet(ft).
Per - period of time in minutes(min) from one wave to the next.

Evaluation

sea level readings confirm that a tsunami was generated. This
tsunami may have been destructive along coastlines of the region
near the earthquake epicenter. Authorities in the region should
take appropriate action in response to this possibility. This
center will continue to monitor sea level gauges nearest the
region and report if any additional tsunami wave activity. The
warning will not expand to other areas of the pacific unless
additional data are received to warrant such an expansion.

For affected areas - when no major waves are observed for two
hours after the estimated time of arrival or damaging waves have
not occurred for at least two hours then local authorities can
assume the threat is passed. Danger to boats and coastal
structures can continue for several hours due to rapid currents.
As local conditions can cause a wide variation in tsunami wave
action the all clear determination must be made by local
authorities.

Estimated initial tsunami wave arrival times at forecast points
within the warning and watch areas are given below. Actual
arrival times may differ and the initial wave may not be the
largest. A tsunami is a series of waves and the time between
successive waves can be five minutes to one hour.

Location forecast point coordinates arrival time
-------------------------------- ------------ ------------
vanuatu anatom is. 20.2s 169.9e 1338z 25 dec
esperitu santo 15.1s 167.3e 1404z 25 dec
new caledonia noumea 22.3s 166.5e 1359z 25 dec
fiji suva 18.5s 178.5e 1512z 25 dec

bulletins will be issued hourly or sooner if conditions warrant.
The tsunami warning will remain in effect until further notice.

The west coast/alaska tsunami warning center will issue products
for alaska...british columbia...washington...oregon...california.

 

[oldvarnish]

Have you got a link for the source of that data?

 

[AndrewB]

A "tsunami" of amplitude 15cm??

Hardly a major disaster scenario. Nasty shore-break perhaps. Someone, somewhere, might get wet feet.

There are few yachties in Vanuatu now during the cyclone season.

I don't understand why you relay all this minor seismological stuff here.

(At 7.6, or 7.3 reported elsewhere, the earthquake itself would have been much more significant to people ashore. But it would be the third one of that magnitude in Vanuatu, this year alone.)