They’ll Remember

Chile Wave Crosses The Pacific

It’s A Tidal Wave They’ll Remember

May 24 is the day likely to be remembered in one part of Z Caledonia as The Day The Dam Almost Broke.

TT happened on the estuary of the I Yate River, which is only a few miles below New Galedoma s big hydro-electric scheme linked to the huge Yate Dam. /‘bout 4 a.m., on the 24th the native ferry operator in the estuary was awakened by a noise, and going outside found himself up to his knees in water. . v ._. l<sp He waded some yards to a house where a French official was spend ing the night and broke the news “that the dam had broken”. They both made for the hillside, the official in his pyjamas.

From there they saw the water It wasn’t till later that they learned that what they were ex periencing was one of the many tidal waves which raced across the entire Pacific following the big series of earthquakes in Chile in May. Death roll in Chile was about 6,000.

ftfany Affected

At Atuana, in the Marquesas, the Government radio station was de molished when a 21-foot wave swept ashore. In Papeete, several blocks near the waterfront were inundated.

The waves were felt even in Syd ney Harbour, where many small craft were damaged.

In Rarotonga, in the Cooks, three yachts were damaged, two of them being thrown ashore and there was considerable turbulence (see p. Ill).

West Samoa received its first warning of the tidal wave from a man who had been listening to a broadcast from Honolulu, and he notified Apia observatory. Warnings were put over the local Apia radio station.

One wave, at Fagaloa Bay, ad vanced 90 yards through the village, causing considerable damage, and rose as high as the roof of one fale (house) where children had been asleep prior to radio 2AP’s warning.

The people had taken refuge on higher ground.

Another wave, at Aleipata, washed two fishermen out of a canoe near the reef and deposited them on the road!

Apia's Fright

Later the same week Apia picked up news from Radio Australia that another tidal wave was active in the South Pacific, and police stopped all cars along the beach road at

Apia and warned the drivers to be nrenared. But nothing happened.

The Samoan Bulletin described West Samoa’s reaction to the wave reports—especially some sections of Apia—as a “panic”. Some schools sent children home and some workers asked permission to leave their jobs. , „ . .

Many people rushed from Apia, and many came into Apia from other areas, hoping to see something Commented the Bulletin ; “There appears to have been very little need for the sudden fright which seized a large section of the PoP}fJ a " tion . . . evidently, most forgot that so far in this century tidal waves have not caused any real destruc tion or loss or life in Samoa.”

Fiji was protected by its extensive barrier of reefs but yachtsmen were caused anxiety in Walu Bay, Suva, where a fairly strong current de veloned the water running out for about ten minutes then running back in again. The effects continued for about 12 hours, and some small craft were moved out farther into the harbour. Some continued to cruise about in case of danger.

Wharf Swept Away

The Yate and Goro regions of New Caledonia seemed to be the only ones affected by the waves and no damage was done, although in some areas the waves were re ported to be about 15 ft high and many natives—in addition to the ferry man—fled from their huts.

As Ysabel, in the Solomons, a new wharf was swept away, but this appeared to be the only damage re ported in the BSIP. Extensive changes in the tides were recorded.

In Simpson Harbour, Rabaul, New Guinea, the water level rose about four feet above normal high water, flooding a copra store and a cocoa store and carrying out to sea native owned canoes and fishing nets. In Wewak, and in other parts of the north coast of the New Guinea mainland, the water flooded low lying areas, including roads as it rose.

The high tides were followed by abnormally low water. On the north coast of New Britain reefs which are usually covered were exposed, trapping fish in rock pools.

In some parts of New Guinea

(Continued on page 145)

2vels changed as rapidly as 3S in five minutes, geophysical station at Port r at the time recorded large centred 8,300 miles from iresby, one of which caused al ground movement of I of result of the experiences the ive warning system at pre lerating in Suva may be d, reported PlM’s corre it in Suva, Jim Shortall. id the Pacific Wave Warn >tem, with headquarters at u, is mainly organised to the approach of seismic sea rom the far North Pacific — tska-Aleutians-Japan area — is the source of nearly all ives. s one of the seismic wave ig stations associated with :ning system, but due to lack and finance the instruments under constant surveillance,

Honolulu's Action

ulu is usually nearer the Df the earthquake than Fiji, equest comes from there for t. The technician then has from Suva to Laucala Bay, a film, and radio the re ck to Honolulu—an operation ;akes at least 40 minutes, initial Chile earthquake reached Suva earlier than

Honolulu but nothing was known of it in Suva until an urgent call came from Honolulu later request ing the data. Until Honolulu had this, and reports from Apia and the few places with seismographs, an accurate assessment of the approach of the seawaves could not be made.

To be able to report waves from other directions besides the north will involve establishment of a wider network of seismic stations, each with facilities for rapid radio communication with Honolulu, and with a better system of checking what the instruments are recording.

No Trouble in Fiji

In Suva the recording film is normally only developed once each week and there is no means of con stantly monitoring the seismograph.

Though Fiji may not be troubled by these waves, the information which it can provide is valuable in issuing warnings to other areas like the Cooks, Tahiti, the Marquesas.

Research carried out by the Fiji Geological Survey Branch seems to indicate that there never has been any record of damage in the Colony from waves originating outside the group.

A tidal wave which struck Suva in 1953 originated within the group, and other waves which had caused damage originated from “air pressure jumps” associated with hurricanes.

The full force of the tsunami was apparently felt at Pitcairn Island and it was fortunate that the village is located high above sea-level. Two of the Pitcairners’ surf boats were smashed to pieces and others were damaged, and huge boulders weigh ing many tons each, located about 40 ft above sea-level, were moved many yards when the first wave struck in the early hours of the morning. (See also “Danger! Seismic Seawaves!” page 57.)