World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1987
Historic Tsunami
1987 Chile Tsunami
5 March 1987 · Northern Chile · Chile
On 5 March 1987 at 09:17 UTC, a tsunami formed near Northern Chile, Chile. It was caused by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake. Waves reached up to 0.2 m high. It was observed at 6 locations in 3 countries or territories, up to 10,408 km from its source. It killed at least 1 person.
- Date
- 5 March 1987
- Time
- 09:17 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.6
- Highest Wave
- 0.2 m
- Observation Sites
- 6
- Furthest Reach
- 10,408 km
- Deaths
- 1
- Source Country
- Chile
- Triggering Earthquake
- M 7.3, 1987
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 4Chile · 0.1 m
- 1United States of America · 0.1 m
- 1Mexico
Highest Waves
- 0.1 mCaldera · Chile · 304 km
- 0.1 mCoquimbo · Chile · 627 km
- 0.1 mHilo, Hawaii, Hi · United States of America · 10,408 km
- 0.1 mArica · Chile · 656 km
- 0.1 mValparaiso · Chile · 969 km
- 0.0 mSocorro Island · Mexico · 6,511 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2007Northern Chile, Chile · 0.3 m2 deaths
- 1995Northern Chile, Chile · 3.0 m3 deaths
- 1983Northern Chile, Chile · 0.2 m5 deaths
- 1966Northern Chile, Chile · 0.4 m3 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