Expert assessment for our worst-case tsunami 12-15m

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Re: Monster tsunami artwork stuff of Hollywood movies, Nov 1 letter.

While the artistic impression published in The Gisborne Herald was rightly criticised, the commentary in this letter contains inaccuracies.

Gisborne District Council has had tsunami modelling undertaken by independent experts from eCoast and because of the significant implications of that modelling, the assessment was also independently peer-reviewed — which confirmed the assessment.

The modelling does not support a worst-case scenario of a 30m wave, as Roger stated.

Waves of 12m to 15m could be expected if the Hikurangi margin fault ruptured off Gisborne City. This was reported in this release written by Diana Dobson.

The new Emergency Coordination Centre is located where it is (15 Potae Ave) for the very reason that the worst-case scenario tsunami inundation would not come near the facility, or the hospital, or Lytton School or houses in that area.

Council has maps showing the potential worst-case tsunami extent for Gisborne City and many other areas.

The community is urged to view these on our website and rely on those, and not speculative opinions that are not based on a scientifically sound assessment.

Dr Murry Cave