Thursday, 8 April 2021
The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter and the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Program hosted this webinar on the multiple massive temblors (M8.1, M7.4, M7.3) that occurred in the South Pacific Ocean in early March 2021. The March 5, 2021 M8.1 event was one of the strongest quakes to strike the region in modern history. Earthquakes of this size are capable of creating tsunamis (ocean waves) that can travel thousands of miles causing widespread damage to coastal communities. The quakes were centered northeast of New Zealand. Tsunami warnings were issued throughout the region and as far away as Chile forcing thousands of people to evacuate coastal areas. Fortunately, only small wave surges (about 30 cm) were observed causing little damage. This webinar discussed seismology, tsunamis mechanisms and warning systems. Speakers included Rick Wilson, CGS, and William Power, GNS Science.
