Historic Tsunami

1965 Vanuatu Tsunami

11 August 1965 · Vanuatu Islands · Vanuatu

On 11 August 1965 at 22:31 UTC, a tsunami formed near Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu. It was caused by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake. Waves reached up to 7.0 m high. It was observed at 4 locations in 2 countries or territories, up to 2,383 km from its source.

Date

11 August 1965

Time

22:31 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.0

Highest Wave

7.0 m

Observation Sites

4

Furthest Reach

2,383 km

Source Country

Vanuatu

Triggering Earthquake

M 7.6, 1965

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 3Vanuatu · 7.0 m
• 1United States of America

Highest Waves

• 7.0 mMalakula (Malekula, Malekoula) · Vanuatu · 33 km
• 2.5 mTongoa Island · Vanuatu · 187 km
• 1.2 mPort Vila, Efate Island · Vanuatu · 247 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2024Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 0.3 m14 deaths
• 2015Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 8.0 m
• 2010Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 4.1 m
• 2002Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 3.0 m
• 1999Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 6.6 m10 deaths
• 1997Santa Cruz Is. Vanuatu, Solomon Islands · 3.0 m

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