Warning downgraded to an Advisory

Apologies for the delay in the flow of information here - we stood down around noon, and I was sent home to get some much needed sleep.

From the update from 14:55

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Cancellation in response to the above earthquake. However, based on scientific advice, the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has downgraded the national warning to an advisory. There is still a likelihood of surges and rapid sea level changes to continue for up to 24 hours after the initial wave arrivals. Wave heights could be larger than what we have currently experienced but within the threat levels and wave height estimates that have been previously forecast. Strong currents are expected in harbours and restricted waterways. The Chatham Islands and Banks Peninsula could still expect wave heights of between 1 and 3 metres. This represents risks to people in boats and on beaches for coastal communities in the east coast of the North and South Island and particularly Chatham Islands and Banks Peninsula.

And from the one at 17:10

Monitored tidal gauges continue to show wave action of up to 1 metre on the east coast of the North and South Islands and at the Chatham Islands. There is no indication of any decrease in wave amplitude.

Scientific advice is that there is still a likelihood of surges and rapid sea level changes over the 24 hours after the initial wave arrivals. Wave heights could be larger than what we have currently experienced but within the threat levels and wave height estimates that have been previously forecast. The Ministry of Civil Defence& Emergency Management will keep the advisory in place overnight and will review this at 0800 hours on Monday 1 March 2010.


So continue to stay off the beaches and stay out of the water, so you don't end up earning yourself a Darwin Award for removing yourself from the gene pool. <--- that bit's not from the updates, the Ministry's more polite.