World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1966
Historic Tsunami
1966 Chile Tsunami
28 December 1966 · Northern Chile · Chile
On 28 December 1966 at 08:18 UTC, a tsunami formed near Northern Chile, Chile. It was caused by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Waves reached up to 0.4 m high. It was observed at 13 locations in 5 countries or territories, up to 14,132 km from its source. It killed at least 3 people and injured 6.
- Date
- 28 December 1966
- Time
- 08:18 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.8
- Highest Wave
- 0.4 m
- Observation Sites
- 13
- Furthest Reach
- 14,132 km
- Deaths
- 3
- Injuries
- 6
- Estimated Damage
- 0 million US dollars
- Source Country
- Chile
- Triggering Earthquake
- 1966 Chile Earthquake
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 4Chile · 0.4 m
- 4United States of America · 0.2 m
- 1Ecuador · 0.1 m
- 3Peru · 0.1 m
- 1Kiribati
Highest Waves
- 0.4 mCaldera · Chile · 174 km
- 0.2 mAntofagasta · Chile · 207 km
- 0.2 mArica · Chile · 779 km
- 0.2 mHilo, Hawaii, Hi · United States of America · 10,399 km
- 0.2 mKahului, Maui, Hi · United States of America · 10,589 km
- 0.1 mGalapagos Islands · Ecuador · 3,396 km
- 0.1 mSan Juan · Peru · 1,216 km
- 0.1 mPago Pago, American Samoa · United States of America · 10,312 km
- 0.1 mWake Island · United States of America · 14,132 km
- 0.1 mChimbote · Peru · 2,001 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2007Northern Chile, Chile · 0.3 m2 deaths
- 1995Northern Chile, Chile · 3.0 m3 deaths
- 1987Northern Chile, Chile · 0.2 m1 deaths
- 1983Northern Chile, Chile · 0.2 m5 deaths
- 1936Northern Chile, Chile · 1.0 m1 deaths
- 1922Northern Chile, Chile · 5.5 m700 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth