Historic Tsunami

1919 Tonga Tsunami

30 April 1919 · Tonga Islands · Tonga

On 30 April 1919 at 07:17 UTC, a tsunami formed near Tonga Islands, Tonga. It was caused by a magnitude 8.1 earthquake. Waves reached up to 2.5 m high. It was observed at 8 locations in 4 countries or territories, up to 8,779 km from its source.

Date

30 April 1919

Time

07:17 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

8.1

Highest Wave

2.5 m

Observation Sites

8

Furthest Reach

8,779 km

Source Country

Tonga

Triggering Earthquake

M 8.1, 1919

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 1Tonga · 2.5 m
• 5United States of America · 0.9 m
• 1Samoa · 0.4 m
• 1Canada · 0.1 m

Highest Waves

• 2.5 mHa'Apai · Tonga · 249 km
• 0.9 mPunaluu, Hawaii, Hi · United States of America · 4,545 km
• 0.6 mHilo, Hawaii, Hi · United States of America · 4,624 km
• 0.4 mApia, Upolu Island · Samoa · 507 km
• 0.1 mHonolulu, Oahu, Hi · United States of America · 4,669 km
• 0.1 mTofino (Clayoquot),british Columbia · Canada · 8,779 km
• 0.0 mSan Diego, Ca · United States of America · 8,160 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2022Tonga Islands, Tonga · 22.0 m6 deaths
• 2009Samoa Islands, Samoa · 22.4 m192 deaths
• 1917Samoa Islands, Samoa · 12.2 m2 deaths

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