Earlier tsunami research

Northland Regional Council contracted NIWA to undertake an initial study on the risk of tsunami inundation facing communities in the Northland Region.

Tsunami source study

The aim of the project was to identify the most significant tsunami sources for the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.

Northland Tsunami Baseline Study

A NIWA report on the pre and post-human tsunami record for the Northland Region.

Modelling Study 1

Modelling Study 1 gave a broad outline of the methodology, and included tsunami mapping for Ahipara and Taipa, in the Far North District.

Modelling Studies 2 and 3

Modelling Studies 2 and 3 include tsunami mapping for a further 30 settlements, primarily on the East coast of Northland, where tsunami risk is considered highest. 

Modelling Study 4

Modelling Study 4 included tsunami mapping for the Whangārei harbour, from the Whangārei Heads to the CBD. Six areas on the harbour have been studied in detail.

The methodology and scenarios assessed is consistent for model studies 1 to 4. For several tsunami event scenarios, the model outputs include:

  • landward extent and water depth of tsunami inundation over land
  • maximum current speeds from inundation over land
  • wave arrival times
  • animations of inundation for some areas.