Bay of Plenty Launches VR Tsunami Training to Boost Disaster Preparedness This Summer

This summer, the Bay of Plenty is taking a proactive approach to disaster preparedness as Tauranga emergency management staff invite beachgoers to participate in a groundbreaking tsunami training experience. Between December and February, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to don virtual reality (VR) headsets that simulate the harrowing effects of an earthquake and subsequent tsunami on the Mount Maunganui coastline. With over 110,000 people living in tsunami evacuation zones across the Bay of Plenty, and more than half of them in Tauranga, the initiative aims to educate the community about the critical actions needed in the event of a natural disaster. The simulation developed by Emergency Management Bay of Plenty allows users to experience a 10-minute scenario that vividly illustrates the predicted impacts of a 9-metre tsunami, triggered by a significant earthquake along the Kermadec Trench. Updated evacuation maps released in 2023 underscore the seriousness of the threat, designating extensive coastal evacuation areas based on a "maximum credible tsunami wave" of potentially 14 metres. While the likelihood of such a tsunami is low, the potential devastation it could cause makes preparedness essential. In the case of a long or strong earthquake—often the only precursor to a tsunami—residents must know to seek higher ground swiftly. Isaac Orchard, a community resilience advisor with the Tauranga City Council, has identified a pressing need for more hands-on education regarding earthquakes and tsunamis. "When discussing these low-likelihood events, it's challenging to convey their reality," he noted. The virtual reality simulation aims to bridge this gap, offering a safe environment for individuals to confront the magnitude of such disasters. "It's hard to fathom a 9-metre tsunami, but seeing it visually makes it real," Orchard explained. Developed in collaboration with Skills VR and behavioral scientists from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, this unique training tool is a first of its kind in New Zealand. The simulation walks users through a small earthquake before escalating to a larger one, prompting them to take appropriate action. Participants must respond, first by "drop, cover and hold" during the shaking, then by moving to the highest vantage point once they recognize the tsunami's approach. The accessible nature of the simulation ensures that nearly anyone can participate, though it is recommended for those aged 12 and older due to the potentially distressing scenarios depicted. As Orchard noted, there is a significant gap in interactive learning options for disaster education, making this VR experience a valuable resource. Early testers of the simulation have found it both enlightening and unsettling. One participant described how the VR experience brought to light the immediate impacts of a tsunami, transforming abstract knowledge into a visceral understanding of what could happen. The simulation led them through the process of assisting others during an earthquake, witnessing the ocean retreat dramatically, and ultimately, experiencing the tsunami's overwhelming force. As the summer progresses, the public will have numerous opportunities to participate in this crucial training, ensuring that more people are prepared to respond effectively in the face of natural disasters. Engaging in this innovative approach to emergency preparedness not only raises awareness but potentially saves lives in the event of a real tsunami.