Historic Tsunami

1989 United States of America Tsunami

18 October 1989 · North California · United States of America

On 18 October 1989 at 00:04 UTC, a tsunami formed near North California, United States of America. It was caused by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake. Waves reached up to 1.0 m high. It was observed at 4 locations in 2 countries or territories, up to 11,932 km from its source. It killed at least 62 people and injured 3,757.

Date

18 October 1989

Time

00:04 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

6.9

Highest Wave

1.0 m

Observation Sites

4

Furthest Reach

11,932 km

Deaths

62

Injuries

3,757

Estimated Damage

5.6 billion US dollars

Source Country

United States of America

Triggering Earthquake

1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 3United States of America · 1.0 m
• 1Australia

Highest Waves

• 1.0 mMoss Landing, Ca · United States of America · 28 km
• 0.2 mMonterey, Ca · United States of America · 48 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 1994West Coast, United States of America · 0.1 m57 deaths
• 1930South California, United States of America · 3.1 m1 deaths

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