18 Sep 2015

Pacific tsunami warnings still in place

6:36 am on 18 September 2015

Tsunami warnings remain in place for much of the Pacific following yesterday's massive 8.3 earthquake in Chile.

The earthquake has claimed at least 10 lives in Chile.

The French High Commission had warned the people on the Marquesas Islands to prepare for waves of up to 1.4 metres last night.

The Geophysical Laboratory in Tahiti says waves of slightly higher than one metre can be expected in the Marquesas and no higher than 30 centimetres in the most populated parts of the territory.

The French High Commissioner called for people in the Marquesas not to stay on the coast last night and to check moorings.

More distant parts of the Pacific are forecast to be affected by smaller waves later today.

In American Samoa a tsunami advisory has been issued but the National Weather Service says the territory is not under any threat.

But it says mariners should expect a tidal surge in the early hours of this morning.

Niue has issued an alert but it does not expect a significant impact given its topography and its location.

In New Zealand, tsunami warnings remain in place for the east coast of New Zealand and the Chatham Islands.

People in the city of Valparaiso keep a close eye on the shoreline after a massive quake hit off the Chilean coast.

People in the city of Valparaiso keep a close eye on the shoreline after a massive quake hit off the Chilean coast. Photo: AFP