World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1976
Historic Tsunami
1976 Philippines Tsunami
16 August 1976 · Moro Gulf · Philippines
On 16 August 1976 at 16:11 UTC, a tsunami formed near Moro Gulf, Philippines. It was caused by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake. Waves reached up to 9.0 m high. It was observed at 44 locations in 2 countries or territories, up to 3,557 km from its source. It killed at least 8,000 people and injured 10,000. It is the 16th deadliest of the tsunamis recorded since 1900.
- Date
- 16 August 1976
- Time
- 16:11 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 8.0
- Highest Wave
- 9.0 m
- Observation Sites
- 44
- Furthest Reach
- 3,557 km
- Deaths
- 8,000
- Injuries
- 10,000
- Estimated Damage
- 134 million US dollars
- Source Country
- Philippines
- Triggering Earthquake
- 1976 Moro Gulf Erdbeben
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 39Philippines · 9.0 m4,381 deaths
- 5Japan · 0.1 m
Highest Waves
- 9.0 mLebak · Philippines · 38 km
- 8.5 mLinek, Cotabato, Mindanao Island · Philippines · 98 km
- 6.1 mKalanganan, Cotabato · Philippines · 107 km
- 6.0 mMalabang · Philippines · 144 km
- 5.5 mLamitan, Basilan Island · Philippines · 220 km
- 5.4 mTongkil (Tongquil) Island, Sulu · Philippines · 250 km
- 4.4 mAlicia · Philippines · 182 km
- 4.4 mBongo Island · Philippines · 114 km
- 4.3 mPagadian City · Philippines · 182 km383 deaths
- 4.3 mResa Bay · Philippines · 66 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2026Mindanao Island, Philippines · 2.5 m107 deaths
- 2025Mindanao Island, Philippines · 0.3 m10 deaths
- 2012Tanon Strait, Philippines · 5.0 m51 deaths
- 2002Mindanao Island, Philippines · 3.0 m15 deaths
- 1928Celebes Sea, Philippines97 deaths
- 1918Celebes Sea, Philippines · 7.2 m52 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth