Even though the overall tsunami risk to Victoria is lower than many other parts of the world, there is still a risk that a tsunami may impact the Victorian coast.
The largest tsunami to affect Victoria in recent times occurred in May 1960 after a 9.5 magnitude earthquake in Chile.
For emergency tsunami assistance, call SES on 132 500.
For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).
Marine and land threat tsunamis
A tsunami is a series of waves generated by any of the following:
- Vertical movement of the sea floor after a large earthquake
- Submarine or coastal eruptions
- Meteor impacts
- Submarine or coastal landslides.
There are two types of tsunami threats:
- Marine tsunami threat: A marine threat tsunami can generate dangerous rips, waves and strong currents that pose a risk to surfers, swimmers, people in small boats and anyone else in the water. There may be some localised flooding onto the immediate foreshore. In Australia, warnings for marine threat tsunami are more common than warnings for land threat tsunami.
- Land threat tsunami: A land threat tsunami can cause major land inundation, flooding to low-lying coastal areas, dangerous waves and strong ocean currents. Tsunamis that present a land threat are much less frequent than marine threat tsunamis. However, when they do occur, they are extremely dangerous.
Before and during a tsunami:
- If you are in the water, get out immediately and move far away from the edge of harbours, beaches, coastal estuaries and rock platforms.
- Boats in harbours, estuaries and in shallow coastal water should return to shore - secure your boat and move away from the waterfront.
- Any vessels in deep water should move well offshore and remain there until further notice.
- If you are on land, move to higher ground away from the coast – at least one kilometre away from all beaches and harbours.
- Do not go to the coast or headlands to watch the tsunami.
- Stay informed – monitor emergency warnings issued by the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre, through the VicEmergency app, website and Hotline (1800 226 226), or local emergency radio broadcasters.
- For emergency tsunami assistance, call SES on 132 500.
- For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).
After a tsunami:
- Hazardous and dangerous conditions caused by the tsunami may remain for days.
- Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen and damaged trees and powerlines, which may still be present.
- Do not enter damaged or flooded buildings until authorities advise it is safe to do so.
Further information:
Find out more information on tsunami safety by visiting the Victoria State Emergency Service website.
VicEmergency app
The VicEmergency app aligns with the VicEmergency website to provide a centralised location for Victorians to access timely emergency information and warnings.
The app includes warnings and incident notifications for fire, flood, storm, earthquake, tsunami, weather warnings, shark sightings, beach closures and more.
In order to receive location specific app alerts when warnings are issued or incidents occur, you need to set up your watch zones.
You can download VicEmergency from the App Store or Google Play.
For app support, please visit the VicEmergency Knowledge Base.
