Historic Tsunami

1980 United States of America Tsunami

18 May 1980 · Washington · United States of America

On 18 May 1980, a tsunami formed near Washington, United States of America. It was caused by a volcano and landslide. Waves reached up to 250.0 m high. It was observed at 2 locations. It killed at least 61 people. It is the 3rd highest of the tsunamis recorded since 1900.

Date

18 May 1980

Cause

Volcano and landslide

Highest Wave

250.0 m

Observation Sites

2

Furthest Reach

10 km

Deaths

61

Source Country

United States of America

Triggering Earthquake

M 5.2, 1980

Triggering Volcano

St. Helens

Highest Waves

• 250.0 mSpirit Lake West, Wa · United States of America · 9 km
• 225.0 mSpirit Lake East, Wa · United States of America · 10 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2007Chehalis Lake, Chilliwack, Canada · 38.0 m
• 1952Columbia River Valley, Wa, United States of America · 19.8 m
• 1949Columbia River Valley, Wa, United States of America · 19.8 m
• 1949Puget Sound, Wa, United States of America8 deaths
• 1946British Columbia, Canada · 9.0 m1 deaths
• 1905Thompson River, Canada · 6.0 m15 deaths

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