World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1950
Historic Tsunami
1950 Vanuatu Tsunami
2 December 1950 · Vanuatu Islands · Vanuatu
On 2 December 1950 at 19:51 UTC, a tsunami formed near Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu. It was caused by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Waves reached up to 2.5 m high. It was observed at 5 locations in 2 countries or territories, up to 482 km from its source.
- Date
- 2 December 1950
- Time
- 19:51 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.8
- Highest Wave
- 2.5 m
- Observation Sites
- 5
- Furthest Reach
- 482 km
- Source Country
- Vanuatu
- Triggering Earthquake
- M 7.8, 1950
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 4New Caledonia · 2.5 m
- 1Vanuatu
Highest Waves
- 2.5 mPoindimie · New Caledonia · 374 km
- 0.8 mHienghene · New Caledonia · 381 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2024Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 0.3 m14 deaths
- 2018Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia · 4.0 m
- 2015Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 8.0 m
- 2010Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 4.1 m
- 1999Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 6.6 m10 deaths
- 1965Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 7.0 m
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth