Site Analysis

A tsunami, or large wave or series of waves that may be several metres high, occurs as a result of the displacement of a large body of water. It is often due to an undersea earthquake, landslide or eruption, or a large coastal landslide.

Tsunamis can travel long distances across oceans before striking a coastline and New Zealand’s location in the Pacific means that its coastline is vulnerable.

Low-lying, coastal regions are the only parts of the country at risk from tsunamis.