After the earthquake in Mexico, a “low intensity” tsunami expected… In New Caledonia

Gwendolina Duval with Europe 1 11:29 a.m., September 20, 2022

Abnormal waves of 20 to 30 centimeters "corresponding to a low-intensity tsunami" are expected in New Caledonia on Tuesday around 6 p.m. (0700 GMT) following the powerful earthquake that hit western Mexico on Monday, the authorities said. local authorities.

“Anomalous sea movements” should be observed late Tuesday in New Caledonia following the 7.7 magnitude quake that occurred in Mexico.

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No evacuations

But "there is no proven risk of a destructive tsunami," the local New Caledonian government said in a statement, however inviting the population to move away from the coast from 6 p.m.

Given the intensity, location and depth of the earthquake, the expected waves are "around 20 to 30 cm, corresponding to a low-intensity tsunami", according to Civil Security, which did not trigger the tsunami warning. 

"Insofar as there is no risk of significant submersion of the coast, the population does not have to go to the high points or to the refuge areas", specified the government.

"Wave of Superstition"

The strong earthquake shook the west of the country and the capital Mexico City at 1:05 p.m. (6:05 p.m. GMT) on Monday, the anniversary of the deadly earthquakes of 1985 and 2017 in Mexico.

"It's amazement in the capital of Mexico", assures the correspondent of Europe 1 on the spot.

"There is a huge wave of superstition that is taking hold in the country and we are looking for explanations to understand what is happening to us," she adds. 

One person has died in the west of the country, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said.

One injured was reported in the state of Michoacan (west), where the epicenter was located near the Pacific.

No major damage was recorded in Mexico City despite the presence of nine million intramural inhabitants and nearly 25 million with its metropolis.