World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1937
Historic Tsunami
1937 Papua New Guinea Tsunami
29 May 1937 · Rabaul · Papua New Guinea
On 29 May 1937, a tsunami formed near Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. It was caused by a volcanic eruption. Waves reached up to 2.5 m high. It was observed at 4 locations. It killed at least 507 people.
- Date
- 29 May 1937
- Cause
- Volcanic eruption
- Highest Wave
- 2.5 m
- Observation Sites
- 4
- Furthest Reach
- 6 km
- Deaths
- 507
- Source Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Triggering Earthquake
- M 0.0, 1937
- Triggering Volcano
- Rabaul (Tavurvur)
- Triggering Eruption
- Rabaul (Tavurvur), 1937
Highest Waves
- 2.5 mRabaul, New Britain · Papua New Guinea · 6 km
- 1.5 mKeravat Bay, New Britain · Papua New Guinea · 6 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2017Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea · 0.0 m3 deaths
- 2000Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea · 3.0 m2 deaths
- 1994Papua New Guinea · 3.0 m4 deaths
- 1971Solomon Sea, Papua New Guinea · 10.0 m
- 1971Solomon Sea, Papua New Guinea · 6.0 m3 deaths
- 1941Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea · 0.2 m4 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth