Historic Tsunami

1931 Solomon Islands Tsunami

3 October 1931 · San Cristobal Island · Solomon Islands

On 3 October 1931 at 19:13 UTC, a tsunami formed near San Cristobal Island, Solomon Islands. It was caused by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Waves reached up to 9.0 m high. It was observed at 13 locations in 4 countries or territories, up to 9,910 km from its source. It killed at least 50 people.

Date

3 October 1931

Time

19:13 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.8

Highest Wave

9.0 m

Observation Sites

13

Furthest Reach

9,910 km

Deaths

50

Source Country

Solomon Islands

Triggering Earthquake

M 7.8, 1931

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 4Solomon Islands · 9.0 m50 deaths
• 1New Caledonia · 1.3 m
• 7United States of America · 0.1 m
• 1Canada

Highest Waves

• 9.0 mSan Cristobal Island · Solomon Islands · 146 km50 deaths
• 3.0 mPort Mary, Santa Ana Island · Solomon Islands · 158 km
• 2.0 mKirakira, San Cristobal Island · Solomon Islands · 112 km
• 1.3 mHienghene · New Caledonia · 1,158 km
• 0.1 mHilo, Hawaii, Hi · United States of America · 5,889 km
• 0.1 mHonolulu, Oahu, Hi · United States of America · 5,738 km
• 0.0 mSanta Barbara, Ca · United States of America · 9,730 km
• 0.0 mSan Diego, Ca · United States of America · 9,910 km
• 0.0 mSan Francisco, Ca · United States of America · 9,591 km
• 0.0 mBalboa, Ca · United States of America · 9,866 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2016Solomon Islands · 0.4 m1 deaths
• 2013Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands · 11.0 m10 deaths
• 1988Solomon Islands · 0.1 m1 deaths
• 1977Solomon Islands · 0.0 m18 deaths
• 1977Solomon Islands · 0.2 m34 deaths
• 1939Solomon Islands · 10.5 m12 deaths

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