World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1930
Historic Tsunami
1930 Papua New Guinea Tsunami
23 December 1930 · Bismarck Sea · Papua New Guinea
On 23 December 1930 at 21:35 UTC, a tsunami formed near Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea. It was caused by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake. Waves reached up to 12.0 m high. It was observed at 28 locations in 2 countries or territories, up to 3,675 km from its source. It killed at least 27 people and injured 8.
- Date
- 23 December 1930
- Time
- 21:35 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 6.5
- Highest Wave
- 12.0 m
- Observation Sites
- 28
- Furthest Reach
- 3,675 km
- Deaths
- 27
- Injuries
- 8
- Homes Destroyed
- 104
- Source Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Triggering Earthquake
- M 6.5, 1930
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 27Papua New Guinea · 12.0 m27 deaths
- 1Australia
Highest Waves
- 12.0 mMal Island, Ninigo Silands · Papua New Guinea · 17 km2 deaths
- 7.6 mSapara · Papua New Guinea · 373 km7 deaths
- 3.6 mAwar Plantation · Papua New Guinea · 319 km
- 2.5 mAwin Island, Ninigo Islands · Papua New Guinea · 49 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2002Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea · 5.5 m4 deaths
- 1998Papua New Guinea · 15.0 m1,636 deaths
- 1970Papua New Guinea · 3.0 m18 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth