New Zealanders may be increasingly aware of the warning signs of a tsunami, but new research has revealed a potentially life-threatening gap between recognising the danger and actually evacuating.
A study led by Earth Sciences New Zealand researchers surveyed more than 1,100 people about tsunami risk, evacuation maps, natural warning signs and what they would do when faced with a tsunami threat.
The research, published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, found public awareness is generally high, with around three-quarters of participants understanding that a long or strong earthquake can provide a natural warning that a tsunami may be coming.
But around one in four did not fully understand that they should evacuate immediately after recognising those natural warning signs.
That hesitation could be critical during a locally generated tsunami, when waves may reach the coastline before authorities have enough time to issue an official warning.
DON’T WAIT FOR YOUR PHONE
Researchers also identified a potentially dangerous reliance on Emergency Mobile Alerts.
Many participants expected an alert to arrive before a local-source tsunami, despite those events potentially reaching nearby coastlines within an hour and sometimes leaving little opportunity for an official warning.
The research reinforces the importance of one of New Zealand’s simplest emergency messages:
Long or Strong, Get Gone.
If an earthquake lasts longer than a minute or is strong enough to make standing difficult, people near the coast or a large lake should immediately move to higher ground or as far inland as possible.
They should not wait for an Emergency Mobile Alert, siren or further instructions.
SIMPLER MAPS COULD SAVE LIVES
The study also examined how people interpret tsunami evacuation maps.
Researchers found different map designs generally performed similarly across several measures, but maps showing one evacuation zone were associated with higher perceptions of tsunami risk than maps containing multiple zones.
That suggests a simpler, highly visible evacuation area could make the danger easier to understand and encourage faster action when every minute matters.
The research has helped inform tsunami evacuation guidance from the National Emergency Management Agency.
Under updated guidance, Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups and local authorities are being asked to transition towards a single Blue Zone for tsunami evacuation zones, routes, maps and signs by the middle of 2031.
A CRITICAL MESSAGE FOR COASTAL WHĀNAU
The findings have particular importance for communities around the extensive coastline of Aotearoa.
Many marae, papakāinga and Māori communities are located close to the moana, rivers and low-lying coastal areas.
For those whānau, understanding evacuation routes before an emergency happens can be critical.
The same applies when travelling. Someone visiting a beach, campground, coastal settlement or unfamiliar rohe may not know the local evacuation route when an earthquake strikes.
Researchers say preparation needs to happen before the emergency, including knowing where evacuation zones are, identifying the quickest route to safety and practising how to leave quickly.
NATURAL WARNING SIGNS COME FIRST
New Zealand’s entire coastline and large lakes are potentially exposed to tsunami hazards.
That means technology cannot be the country’s only warning system.
Emergency Mobile Alerts, official announcements and Civil Defence information remain important, particularly when authorities have advance warning of a distant tsunami.
But for a tsunami generated close to New Zealand, the earthquake itself may be the first — and most important — warning people receive.
The research shows New Zealand has made progress in teaching people how to recognise that warning.
The challenge now is ensuring recognition turns immediately into action.
When the ground has been shaking for more than a minute, when the earthquake is so violent it is difficult to stand, or when other natural tsunami warning signs appear, the safest response is not to reach for the phone and wait for confirmation.
Move immediately. Get to higher ground. Get as far inland as possible.
Because when a local tsunami is approaching, the difference between knowing the message and acting on it could be measured in minutes.
Long or Strong — Get Gone.
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