Photo: Tsunami Warning Sign Wairarapa

A Tsunami warning sign stands along the waterfront of Castlepoint in Wairarapa on the North Island of New Zealand.

Many volcanoes make up the region around New Zealand and if a strong earthquake happens to hit, then this Tsunami warning sign tells people exactly what to do. The bright blue and white colors of this sign are easily seen just in case an emergency situation takes place.The coastline of Wairarapa is known as a hazardous place if a Tsunami hits so you should always stay away from the coastline of Castlepoint after an earthquake. The sign relates that you should head to higher ground or move farther inland away from the waters edge including any rivers and inlets. Never go near the water for at least one hour or more depending on the circumstances as to make sure that there is not a Tsunami heading in the Castlepoint direction.The Wairarapa coastline is very vulnerable to a Tsunami due to the tectonic plate boundary of the Pacific but every sign is just a warning, it can not predict the degree of a Tsunami. ... continue below the picture...

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... If the tsunami is caused by a far away earthquake, people have plenty of time to react but in the case of a nearby earthquake, a Tsunami can hit without any warning.If an earthquake hits the west coast of South and North America, a Tsunami could very easily reach the Wairarapa coast but an earthquake in Japan or the South Pacific is less likely to hit. The warning sign is a precaution for everybody who visits Castlepoint and should be adhered to if any signs of an earthquake are present.Tsunami warning sign along the waterfront of Castlepoint, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand.