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Tsunami hits French PolynesiaAAP
February 28, 2010, 8:54 am
A tsunami that crossed the Pacific Ocean has hit islands in French Polynesia, with waves of about two metres damaging part of the coast.
Emergency officials said a 50cm wave has hit the Chatham Islands east of New Zealand, the third to come ashore in the island group, about 500km east of New Zealand.
"As the scientists have predicted, the waves are increasing in amplitude ... and it's likely they will grow more," Civil Defence national controller Allan Walker said.
National Radio in New Zealand reported four waves of about two metres hit the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia early on Sunday. The first wave passed Tahiti with no effects.
Asia-Pacific nations were evacuating coastlines ahead of the tsunami generated by a devastating earthquake in Chile early on Saturday.