Historic Tsunami

1918 United States of America Tsunami

11 October 1918 · Puerto Rico: Mona Passage · United States of America

On 11 October 1918 at 14:14 UTC, a tsunami formed near Puerto Rico: Mona Passage, United States of America. It was caused by an earthquake and landslide. Waves reached up to 6.1 m high. It was observed at 21 locations in 3 countries or territories, up to 2,393 km from its source. It killed at least 144 people.

Date

11 October 1918

Time

14:14 UTC

Cause

Earthquake and landslide

Earthquake Magnitude

7.1

Highest Wave

6.1 m

Observation Sites

21

Furthest Reach

2,393 km

Deaths

144

Estimated Damage

4 million US dollars

Source Country

United States of America

Triggering Earthquake

1918 San Fermín Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.

• 19United States of America · 6.0 m140 deaths
• 1Dominican Republic · 0.7 m
• 1British Virgin Islands (Uk Territory) · 0.7 m

Highest Waves

• 6.0 mPunta Agujereada · United States of America · 21 km8 deaths
• 5.5 mPunta Higuero · United States of America · 38 km
• 4.5 mPunta Borinquen · United States of America · 24 km
• 4.0 mIsla Mona · United States of America · 102 km
• 4.0 mRio Culebrinas · United States of America · 33 km
• 3.4 mAguadilla · United States of America · 28 km32 deaths
• 2.0 mIsabela · United States of America · 28 km
• 1.5 mCaja de Muertos · United States of America · 115 km
• 1.5 mMayaguez · United States of America · 55 km100 deaths
• 1.2 mSt. Thomas: Krum Bay · United States of America · 239 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2020Puerto Rico, United States of America · 0.1 m4 deaths
• 1946Northeastern Coast, Dominican Republic · 0.6 m75 deaths
• 1946Northeastern Coast, Dominican Republic · 5.0 m1,790 deaths

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth