World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1953
Historic Tsunami
1953 Fiji Tsunami
14 September 1953 · Fiji Islands · Fiji
On 14 September 1953 at 00:26 UTC, a tsunami formed near Fiji Islands, Fiji. It was caused by an earthquake and landslide. Waves reached up to 15.0 m high. It was observed at 33 locations in 3 countries or territories, up to 5,141 km from its source. It killed at least 8 people and injured 61.
- Date
- 14 September 1953
- Time
- 00:26 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake and landslide
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 6.4
- Highest Wave
- 15.0 m
- Observation Sites
- 33
- Furthest Reach
- 5,141 km
- Deaths
- 8
- Injuries
- 61
- Estimated Damage
- 0 million US dollars
- Source Country
- Fiji
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 27Fiji · 15.0 m5 deaths
- 5United States of America · 0.2 m
- 1Vanuatu
Highest Waves
- 15.0 mSouthern Coast Viti Levu Island · Fiji · 24 km
- 5.0 mMuaivuso Village, Viti Levu Island · Fiji · 26 km
- 4.6 mNakasaleka, Kandavu Island · Fiji · 74 km2 deaths
- 3.7 mMakuluva Island · Fiji · 36 km
- 3.5 mNukulau Island · Fiji · 36 km
- 3.0 mSuva, Viti Levu Island · Fiji · 31 km3 deaths
- 2.0 mLami, Suburb of Suva · Fiji · 31 km
- 1.5 mRukua, Mbengga Island (Beqa Island) · Fiji · 15 km
- 1.5 mKoro · Fiji · 169 km
- 1.5 mNasese, Viti Levu Island · Fiji · 29 km
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth