Sea level observations have confirmed a tsunami has been generated.


Tsunami warning for LORD HOWE ISLAND.

An undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.9 (Latitude 45.960S Longitude 166.470E )
has occurred at 07:22 PM EST on Wednesday 15 July 2009 near OFF W. COAST OF
S. ISLAND, N.Z..

For low-lying coastal areas there is a threat of MAJOR LAND INUNDATION,
FLOODING, DANGEROUS WAVES AND STRONG OCEAN CURRENTS for several hours from
09:30 pm (EST) Wednesday.

People in affected areas are strongly advised by the NSW STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE
to go to higher ground or at least one kilometre inland.

For all threatened areas, people are advised to get out of the water and move
away from the immediate water’s edge.

Next update will be issued by 10:07 PM EST on Wednesday 15 July 2009

For latest and further information call 1300 TSUNAMI (1300 878 6264) or visit
www.bom.gov.au

UPDATE 10.05pm: FEARS of a tsunami striking Australian shores have calmed after an earthquake generated only a tiny wave.

The New Zealand quake rumbled the South Island around 7.22pm, prompting tsunami warnings for all low-lying coastal areas from New South Wales to Victoria.

But since over two hours has passed since the earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre believes any sea changes will be small and no tsunami will occur.

The centre reported that the wave generated by the quake is less than 20 centimetres high and poses no threat.

A tsunami marine alert had urged residents to move to higher ground and buildings were evacuated in areas across the pacific.

A spokeswoman for the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology said the chances of a tsunami wave hitting Australia is quite rare.

"We're continuing to monitor and update the situation," she said.

Residents on Lord Howe Island, off the east coast of Australia, had faced the most serious warnings.

There was a threat of flooding and dangerous waves for several hours.

The US Geological Survey says the powerful 7.8-magnitude undersea quake struck west of Invercargill on New Zealand's South Island.

It's believed the epicentre was 161km off the coast of New Zealand's South Island at a depth of 33km.

Police in the town of Tuatapere on South Island, where the earthquake was centred, say they have reports of minor cracks in buildings and stock falling from supermarket shelves.

But they have received no reports of serious damage or injuries so far.

The quake was felt widely across the South Island.

-- with Gareth Trickey, AAP and agencies

apparently 20cm