ID :
167453
Fri, 03/11/2011 - 11:55
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/167453
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No tsunami threat for Australia
SYDNEY, MArch 11 (AAP)- The Bureau of Meteorology says there is no tsunami threat for Australia following the deadly 8.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Japan.
The latest Bureau of Meteorology update, issued at 1646 AEDT, says Australia's mainland, islands and territories are safe.
Forecaster Chris Ryan from the National Meteorological and Oceanographic Centre said there was a chance that could change if the quake's magnitude is found to be higher.
"But we're a fair while past the event now, it seems to have settled to that level," he told AAP.
The tsunami warnings closest to Australia are for the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
"We're relatively sheltered by those island chains," Mr Ryan said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre based in Hawaii, however, has widened its warnings to virtually the entire Pacific coast, including Australia and Central and South America, after the massive earthquake.
The Pacific centre also has issued tsunami warnings for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas.
A tsunami watch is active for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the US state of Hawaii, where Prime Minister Julia Gillard was due to fly to on Friday.
Despite the wide range of the Pacific centre's warning, Mr Ryan stood by the bureau's advice of no threat for Australia - saying it provided the most accurate advice for the country.
The latest Bureau of Meteorology update, issued at 1646 AEDT, says Australia's mainland, islands and territories are safe.
Forecaster Chris Ryan from the National Meteorological and Oceanographic Centre said there was a chance that could change if the quake's magnitude is found to be higher.
"But we're a fair while past the event now, it seems to have settled to that level," he told AAP.
The tsunami warnings closest to Australia are for the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
"We're relatively sheltered by those island chains," Mr Ryan said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre based in Hawaii, however, has widened its warnings to virtually the entire Pacific coast, including Australia and Central and South America, after the massive earthquake.
The Pacific centre also has issued tsunami warnings for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas.
A tsunami watch is active for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the US state of Hawaii, where Prime Minister Julia Gillard was due to fly to on Friday.
Despite the wide range of the Pacific centre's warning, Mr Ryan stood by the bureau's advice of no threat for Australia - saying it provided the most accurate advice for the country.
