Historic Tsunami

1977 Tonga Tsunami

22 June 1977 · Tonga Trench · Tonga

On 22 June 1977 at 12:08 UTC, a tsunami formed near Tonga Trench, Tonga. It was caused by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. Waves reached up to 0.4 m high. It was observed at 19 locations in 6 countries or territories, up to 8,760 km from its source. It killed at least 1 person and injured 5.

Date

22 June 1977

Time

12:08 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.2

Highest Wave

0.4 m

Observation Sites

19

Furthest Reach

8,760 km

Deaths

1

Injuries

5

Estimated Damage

1 million US dollars

Source Country

Tonga

Triggering Earthquake

1977 Tonga Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 10United States of America · 0.3 m
• 1Fiji · 0.2 m
• 4New Zealand · 0.2 m
• 2French Polynesia · 0.1 m
• 1New Caledonia · 0.1 m
• 1Samoa · 0.1 m

Highest Waves

• 0.3 mKahului, Maui, Hi · United States of America · 5,282 km
• 0.2 mLihue, Kauai, Hi · United States of America · 5,278 km
• 0.2 mSuva, King'S Wharf · Fiji · 791 km
• 0.2 mOpua · New Zealand · 1,681 km
• 0.2 mTauranga · New Zealand · 1,803 km
• 0.1 mPago Pago, American Samoa · United States of America · 1,099 km
• 0.1 mWhangarei · New Zealand · 1,710 km
• 0.1 mLong Beach, Ca · United States of America · 8,751 km
• 0.1 mPort San Luis, Ca · United States of America · 8,666 km
• 0.1 mHonolulu, Oahu, Hi · United States of America · 5,265 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2022Tonga Islands, Tonga · 22.0 m6 deaths

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