7.6 Earthquake in the South Pacific

Originally posted by Hellmutt
The quake happened 2½ hours ago. How long does it take for a tsunami to go from Solomon Islands to Tasmania? Or Hawaii, for that matter...

I'd imagine it would take a fair amount of time to get down to Tasmania, although I admit I'm not sure how fast these things move.

I'm trying to contact a friend of mine in North Queensland now, to no avail I might add.

Hold on to your hats people its gona be a busy night

I have just spoken to son is in Townsville (Queensland) and nothing has happened yet.

possible times

A Bureau of Meteorology alert said based on the magnitude and location of the earthquake, a tsunami could hit after 9.31am at Cooktown, after 9.49am at Cairns, after 10.33am in Brisbane, after 11.39am at Gladstone and after 11.44am at Mackay.

www.theage.com.au...

From Loams post on pg1 some arrival times for Australia

Based on the magnitude and location of the earthquake,
tsunami could start affecting these locations at the following local
time:

Cooktown from 0931am 02/04/2007
Cairns from 0949am
Brisbane 1033am
Gladstone 1139am
Mackay 1144am

Originally posted by madhatter

Originally posted by Hellmutt
The quake happened 2½ hours ago. How long does it take for a tsunami to go from Solomon Islands to Tasmania? Or Hawaii, for that matter...

I'd imagine it would take a fair amount of time to get down to Tasmania, although I admit I'm not sure how fast these things move.

I'm trying to contact a friend of mine in North Queensland now, to no avail I might add.

The Speed Of A Wave

If the crest of an ocean wave moves a distance of 20 meters in 5 seconds, then the speed of the ocean wave is 4 m/s. On the other hand, if the crest of an ocean wave moves a distance of 25 meters in 5 seconds (the same amount of time), then the speed of this ocean wave is 5 m/s. The faster wave travels a greater distance in the same amount of time.

When the time hits x:39 now (whatever timezone you're in), it'll be 3 hours since the quake

Here is an interesting page on tsunami travel times:

Tsunami Travel Time Maps for the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans


[edit on 1-4-2007 by loam]

Just some info points on the Area/quake,

The quake struck at 7:40 am local time (2040 GMT Sunday) and was centred about 350 kilometres (220 miles) west-northwest of the capital Honiara at a depth of 10 kilometres, the US Geological Survey and Hong Kong Observatory said.

The Pacific nation, 2,575 kilometres east of Australia, has fewer than 500,000 people living on dozens of islands.

It is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where continental plates meet and frequently experiences volcanic and seismic activity.

www.theaustralian.news.com.au...

I've managed to locate a webcam north of Cairns pointing at the sea.

Not the best in the world so try not to crash the server!

www.port-douglas-australia.com...

p.

Just found this update from 9.13am (Australian time)


www.news.com.au...

Australia looks like it will be spared:

Australian tsunami threat revised

A TSUNAMI generated by a powerful earthquake off the Solomon Islands will not pose any problems for residents on the far north Queensland coast, Geoscience Australia said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii said today a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit near the Solomon Islands at 6.40am (AEST) and was centred about 350kms west-north-west of the capital Honiara at a depth of 10kms.

Geoscience said it had since revised the quake's strength up to 8.1 on the Richter scale, based on updated calculations.

A Geoscience spokeswoman said the resulting tsunami would be between 10 and 20cm, posing little threat to residents in isolated areas.

"It's not a really big (threat) for the coast of Australia," she said.

Originally posted by asala

The quake struck at 7:40 am local time (2040 GMT Sunday)

2040 GMT?

Oh, one hour earlier than I thought. Then it was 4 hours ago

No sign of anything here, but the warning has been broadcast over the local radio since this morning.

I think we're in the clear now.

Bits of info coming out,

Julian McLeod of the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office said there were unconfirmed reports that two villages in the country's far west were flooded

www.cbsnews.com...

More from the Solomon Islands:

Reports reaching Solomon Star this morning said coastlines of Gizo, Noro and Taro had been hit a but high waves.

It is understood that parts of Choiseul, Vella La Vella, Kolombangara, New Georgia, Gizo, and Ranoggah had been hit.

Residents of the area have now moved to higher grounds for safety measures because of the warning.

Some of the islands are reportedly being swept by the waves.

www.solomonstarnews.com...

And in case you missed the previous one:

Villages on Simbo destroyed by tsunami


PFNet Email operator Sione reports from Simbo, that villages have been destroyed by tidal waves.

It was reported that an earthquake caused the tidal waves, the biggest experienced on the island.

He estimated waves washed inland a distant of about two hundred meters (200m) from the shoreline.

It was reported that 15 houses of Marusu village have been destroyed and Form 2 classroom of Legana Community High School. He estimates almost every building of Tapurai village on the island have been washed away.

Other coastal villages on the Western and Choiseul provinces have reports of destroyed building and other domestic animal washed away.

I live in Cairns, far north queensland Australia
It should have hit right now if there was a possibility... luckily I'm living on a mountain range, so don't have to worry. Apperently Willis Isl didn't get hit which means the coast should remain safe aswell.

Btw, it was an 8.1, not 7.8. Unless all the BOM got it wrong...which I doubt

3 Dead in this new report, let's hope others will be spared..

Three people die in Solomons tsunami: report

At least three people died Monday after a tsunami hit the Solomon Islands following a powerful earthquake, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported, quoting a local official in the affected area.

"This morning when we were arranging to go to work, (a) very strong earthquake hit this island with tidal waves, tsunami, and destroyed all the houses along the coastal area," the official told NHK.

"I think it was more than five meters (high). They found three people dead in different locations," the official said.

Here's AFP, they reports a Mag 8.0:
AFP: Solomons hit by tsunami after powerful Pacific quake


Channelnewsasia reports a Mag 7.6, but says that The Japanese meteorological agency estimated it as a Mag 8.1:
Channelnewsasia.com:Three people die in Solomons tsunami: report


USGS now reports it as a Mag 8.0:
USGS: Magnitude 8.0 - SOLOMON ISLANDS
2007 April 1 20:39:56 UTC


edit to add: Channelnewsasia now changed their article to say 8.0, instead of 7.6

[edit on 2007/4/1 by Hellmutt]

I'm on the Gold Coast, havent heard anything on the news, dont think anything is going to get to Auz....