World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1956
Historic Tsunami
1956 Greece Tsunami
9 July 1956 · Cyclades · Greece
On 9 July 1956 at 03:11 UTC, a tsunami formed near Cyclades, Greece. It was caused by an earthquake and landslide. Waves reached up to 20.0 m high. It was observed at 100 locations in 7 countries or territories, up to 1,906 km from its source. It killed at least 56 people and injured 100.
- Date
- 9 July 1956
- Time
- 03:11 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake and landslide
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.7
- Highest Wave
- 20.0 m
- Observation Sites
- 100
- Furthest Reach
- 1,906 km
- Deaths
- 56
- Injuries
- 100
- Homes Destroyed
- 529
- Source Country
- Greece
- Triggering Earthquake
- 1956 Amorgos Earthquake
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
Highest Waves
- 20.0 mMouros · Greece · 18 km
- 14.6 mAmbeli · Greece · 99 km
- 12.6 mAggali · Greece · 95 km
- 10.0 mStavros · Greece · 37 km
- 9.7 mAgia Anna · Greece · 19 km
- 7.5 mVai · Greece · 41 km
- 7.0 mStavros · Greece · 37 km
- 4.0 mBay 1 · Greece · 40 km
- 4.0 mSkala · Greece · 38 km
- 4.0 mGourna · Greece · 95 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2020Aegean Sea, Turkey · 5.3 m118 deaths
- 1965Aegean Sea, Greece38 deaths
- 1953Ionian Sea, Greece476 deaths
- 1944Edremit Gulf, Aegean Sea, Turkey30 deaths
- 1932North Aegean, Greece · 2.0 m161 deaths
- 1912Marmara Sea, Turkey · 2.7 m2,800 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth