'THE BIG ONE' Scientists reveal MEGA-TSUNAMI with 6 minute warning is 'an imminent threat'

Scientists have declared that it is a matter of “when, not if” a devastating earthquake strikes New Zealand, unleashing a mega-tsunami  that could wreak havoc across large parts of the world. Geologists in New Zealand claim the Hikurangi Subduction Zone is one of the world’s biggest faultlines and there is evidence that it could soon set off a quake and a subsequent tsunami. The rupture of the fault line would cause damage and destruction on a scale bigger than the Japanese quake and tsunami of 2011.

New Zealand Geoscience Society (GNS) official Dr Laura Wallace admitted that the tsunami triggered  could have waves of up to 30 metres-high.

Dr Wallace said the imminent threat of an extremely powerful earthquake was higher than previously expected, which has prompted officials in New Zealand to ramp up preparation and emergency response plans

She said: “We know the Hikurangi subduction zone can produce large earthquakes and tsunamis, and these events have happened in the past.

“We know a rupture at some point in the future is certain. The scenario we are using to support the development of this response plan is a very realistic example of what we could face in our lifetime, or that of our children and grandchildren.

“We know they are possible, evidence suggests they have happened hundreds of years ago, so the questions are not if, but when, and how large and what the impacts will be.”

Scientist Kate Clark told New Zealand’s One News: “We could have a magnitude 9.0 earthquake in the worst-case scenario.

“Much more than the earthquake, the tsunami would be the dangerous element.

“Waves of up to 30m could be seen and landfall could happen within just seven minutes notice.”

She added that the disaster could strike at any point.

The preparedness plan is coordinating between scientists, government officials, emergency services, health providers, business experts and NFO leaders.

Martha Savage, professor of geophysics at Victoria University, said the longer the wait, the bigger the quake.

“Because the subduction zone is closer to us than it is in Japan, we would have large tsunamis and we wouldn’t have as much warning – they could come in as early as six minutes.

“That would be very devastating to people near the coast – you could have up to 15, 20, 30m waves if you’re right on the coast.”

source: express.co.uk