Northland's Coastal Areas on Alert After Major Earthquake Off Russia's Coast

Updated: July 30, 2025 – A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia has triggered a series of urgent warnings for coastal areas in Northland, New Zealand. Civil Defence officials have issued alerts about strong and unusual currents, unpredictable surges, and the potential for dangerous conditions near the shoreline.

Strong Currents and Unpredictable Surges

The New Zealand Civil Defence has warned that coastal areas across the North Island are under threat from unusual currents and surges that could reach up to 1 meter in height. The earliest waves are expected to arrive at North Cape near Cape Rēinga at 12:13 AM, followed by Whangārei at 1:07 AM.

Despite the potential for significant wave activity, Northland Civil Defence has stated that there is currently no expected threat to land. However, they emphasized that the situation is being closely monitored, and further warnings or the use of sirens may be necessary as more information becomes available.

Emergency Alerts and Public Instructions

An emergency alert was issued around 4:15 PM, advising people to avoid beaches, shore areas, and harbors. Those living on boats or at marinas have been instructed to move to the shore. Coastal areas such as harbors, estuaries, and small boats are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the currents and surges.

Residents have been urged to follow the advice of local Civil Defence authorities and not to evacuate unless directly instructed to do so. Flooding is not expected, but the risk of injury remains for those in or near the water, especially swimmers, surfers, and fishermen.

Historical Precedent and Rebuilding Efforts

Tutukākā Marina, which was severely damaged during the Tongan tsunami in 2022, has been rebuilt with enhanced infrastructure to withstand greater tsunami surges. The marina’s manager, Dylan Lease, said the community is taking the situation seriously and is relying on ongoing assessments and international wave activity reports.

Northland’s Deputy Harbourmaster, Peter Thomas, reiterated the importance of heeding Civil Defence warnings. He highlighted that areas such as Mangōnui and Tutukākā are particularly susceptible to such events.

International Response and Ongoing Monitoring

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Honolulu has reported that waves up to 1 meter in height could affect areas including New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Antarctica, and Mexico. The United States Geological Survey has confirmed the earthquake's magnitude as 8.8, following an initial assessment of 8.7.

While no immediate impact on New Zealanders has been reported, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued SafeTravel messages to those in affected areas. They have advised New Zealanders to follow local authorities' guidance and monitor updates from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

What's Next?

Civil Defence officials have stated that it could take up to 12 hours for tsunami waves to reach New Zealand's shores. In the meantime, the focus remains on monitoring the situation and ensuring public safety through timely warnings and alerts.

As the situation unfolds, residents and visitors are encouraged to stay informed and take all warnings seriously. Live updates and camera feeds from the Surfline website provide a way to observe the conditions from a safe distance.