World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1970
Historic Tsunami
1970 Papua New Guinea Tsunami
31 October 1970 · Papua New Guinea
On 31 October 1970 at 17:53 UTC, a tsunami formed near Papua New Guinea. It was caused by an earthquake and landslide. Waves reached up to 3.0 m high. It was observed at 3 locations. It killed at least 18 people and injured 20.
- Date
- 31 October 1970
- Time
- 17:53 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake and landslide
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.3
- Highest Wave
- 3.0 m
- Observation Sites
- 3
- Furthest Reach
- 121 km
- Deaths
- 18
- Injuries
- 20
- Homes Destroyed
- 800
- Estimated Damage
- 2 million US dollars
- Source Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Triggering Earthquake
- 1970 New Guinea Earthquake
Highest Waves
- 3.0 mKarkar Island · Papua New Guinea · 70 km
- 1.2 mMadang · Papua New Guinea · 50 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2007Ritter Island, Papua New Guinea · 10.0 m
- 2002Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea · 5.5 m4 deaths
- 1999Kasu Cone, Papua New Guinea · 15.0 m1 deaths
- 1998Papua New Guinea · 15.0 m1,636 deaths
- 1987Solomon Sea, Papua New Guinea · 1.5 m3 deaths
- 1930Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea · 12.0 m27 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth