Minster Urgent Update Signal Chat Kamchatka Earthquake
Wednesday 30 July 2025
John Price 12:05
Kia ora Minister
From: John Price
Re: Russian EQ
NEMA has assessed the information with the assistance of science advisors.
Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is
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unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will affect New Zealand.
Confirming: NO Tsunami Threat to New Zealand.
Ngai Mihi
John.
Act
Anthony Richards 13:24
Kia Ora Minister
From: Anthony Richards
Re: Russian EQ
Tsunami Experts Panel meeting now. Will update you on their advice -
anticipate this by 14.00
Minister Mark Mitchell 13:29
Great thank you.
John Price 13:34
Kia ora Minister
From: John Price NEMA
Re: Russia EQ
Speaking points:
Information
• The initial magnitude of 8.0 was reported by the Pacific Tsunami
Warning Centre. This was revised to magnitude 8.7 and the earthquake
was reassessed accordingly.
• While we can’t speak for the PTWC in this case, magnitudes are often
revised as more data becomes available. This can happen because
they use data from sensors at a range of distances.
Official
• In addition, depending on the nature of the fault, the earthquake can
register different magnitudes at different points.
Nga mihi
the
John Price
NEMA
Anthony Richards 13:58
Kia Ora Minister
From: Anthony Richards
Russian EQ
Tsunami Experts Panel have assessed beach and marine threat now to whole
under
of country. Due to upgrade of quake to M 8.8 panel reassessing further
Dave Gawn 14:09
Ack all
John Price 15:25
Kia ora Minister
From: John Price
NEMA - Director
We are arranging a brief now for you on the TEP.
Tsunami experts (including TEP) have effectively been meeting continuously
since 13.00 today.
It has been challenging event, with the EQ magnitude being revised by global
Released science agencies (particularly US Geological Survey)
The EQ magnitude is a critical input to inform the tsunami forecasts. In simple
terms, the bigger the EQ the larger the likely tsunami.
Forecasts from the Tsunami experts wil continue to be refined, as empirical
(real world) observations are made e.g. tide gauges and DART buoys pick up the
tsunami waves as they travel across the Pacific Ocean
John Price 16:10
Kia ora Minister
From: John Price
NEMA
The tsunami forecast is for beach and marine tsunami activity – this generally
means strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore (no
land threat).
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We wil soon be sending an EMA to al coastal regions around NZ.
The only area of uncertainty is the Chathams – we’re in contact with the
Chathams and they are aware that the forecast for them may be updated.
Nga mihi
Act
John Price
NEMA
Dave Gawn 16:45
All noted JP
Thursday 31 July 2025
John Price 06:08
Kia ora Minister
From: John Price
The EMA expired at 0413hrs. With the beach and marine threat now expected
to remain in place until at least midday we will reissue the EMA to all coastal
areas at 0630 hrs this morning.
Given people will be out and about including morning commuting we need to
Information
be proactive in ensuring people remain safe. There is still an active tsunami
risk.
Earth Sciences (ESR) have observed tsunami activity in some areas.
This is an updated advisory, tsunami waves are already impacting NZ, and it
extends until at least midday.
New EMA wording
Official
TSUNAMI ADVISORY: Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at
the shore are occurring following a M8.8 earthquake near Russia.
Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger for
anyone in or near the water close to the shore.
the
People with boats or live-aboards should remain onshore. Do not return to
boats unless instructed by officials.
IF YOU ARE ONSHORE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO EVACUATE. But STAY AWAY
FROM THE WATER, including beaches, shore areas, harbours, marinas, rivers
and estuaries. DO NOT GO SIGHTSEEING.
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This advisory is for all coastal areas of NZ.
The threat is likely to remain in force until midday today.
Tsunami activity has already reached parts of NZ. The first currents and surges
are unlikely to be the largest and are expected to continue over many hours.
The threat must be regarded as real until this Advisory is cancelled.
s 9(2)(g)(ii)
06:32
Thanks JP
Ps I just got another emergency alert
John Price 06:34
s 9(2)(g)(ii) yes as per update. There is still a tsunami threat until at least midday day
today
Released
s.9(2)(g)(ii)
06:44
Morning JP - I think it would be helpful to put a quick sitrep in the PM chat. I
don’t think it needs to be activated per se but just in light of the second alert a
quick summary for the PM would be useful
s.9(2)(g)(ii)
06:44
JP is doing media at the moment. I’l drop it into the PM chat.
s.9(2)(g)(ii)
06:54
Thanks s.9(2)
Friday 1 August 2025
( )(ii)
John Price 06:29
Kia ora Minister
From: John Price
NEMA
Overnight Update:
Event: Russia Earthquake Tsunami Out of Scope
Out of Scope
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NEMA wil be meeting with the Tsunami Expert Panel this morning to assess the
situation with the Russia Tsunami. At that stage the National Advisory –
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Tsunami Activity still remains in force for the following areas:
• The West Coast of the North Island from CAPE REINGA to AHIPARA, the
East and South Coasts of the North Island from CAPE REINGA to
MAKARA including Whangarei.
• GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, the East Coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island,
Waitemata Harbour, Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Napier,
Lake Ferry, the Wellington South Coast and Wellington Harbour.
• ALL COASTAL AREAS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND and STEWART ISLAND,
and the CHATHAM ISLANDS.
Media interviews are scheduled today to provide reassurance and information
Information
to the public as required.
The next scheduled report update is 1200 hours or if matters escalate.
Nga mihi
John Price
NEMA
Minister Mark Mitchell 07:25
Thanks JP
Official
John Price 09:59
Kia ora Minister
From: John Price
NEMA - Director
START OF NEW INFORMATION
the
Magnitude 8.8 East Coast of Kamchatka, Russia Earthquake
On Wednesday 30 July 2025 at 1125hrs a M8.8 earthquake occurred near the
east coast of Kamchatka, Russia. This earthquake led to all countries
surrounding the Pacific Ocean issuing tsunami advice for their countries.
12 National Advisories were issued by NEMA. A 13th National Advisory is
under
scheduled to be issued this afternoon.
2 national Emergency Mobile Alerts (EMA’s) were issued by NEMA. Canterbury
CDEM issued 2 EMA’s of their own.
At the peak of the event, all of New Zealand coastlines were under a Beach and
Marine threat.
Overnight beach and marine tsunami conditions were observed across the east
coast of NZ.
The highest nationally recorded wave height occurred overnight near the
Chatham Islands and was approximately 80cm.
Released At 0800hrs this morning, only the Chatham Islands remain under a Beach and
Marine threat.
The Tsunami Experts Panel wil reconvene this afternoon, to provide further
advice for the Chatham Islands.
Out of Scope
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Act
END OF NEW INFORMATION
Minister this wil be the last update and reporting of this event.
Nga mihi
John Price
NEMA
John Price 13:57
Kia ora Minister
Information
From: John Price
NEMA
Update: Russia Tsunami
FYI Only - No Action Required
The tsunami threat has passed which now includes the Chatham Islands.
As such there will be a final national advisory sent out soon. This will cancel
(close) the event.
Official
For your awareness the Tsunami Expert Panel have informed NEMA that there
will still be some unusual currents until Monday but no action required.
This will mean that any communication will mention safety advice about being
the
careful around the water.
Nga mihi
John Price
NEMA
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Released
