Historic Tsunami

1991 Costa Rica Tsunami

22 April 1991 · Limon, Pandora · Costa Rica

On 22 April 1991 at 21:56 UTC, a tsunami formed near Limon, Pandora, Costa Rica. It was caused by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake. Waves reached up to 3.0 m high. It was observed at 43 locations in 3 countries or territories, up to 2,169 km from its source. It killed at least 90 people and injured 895.

Date

22 April 1991

Time

21:56 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.6

Highest Wave

3.0 m

Observation Sites

43

Furthest Reach

2,169 km

Deaths

90

Injuries

895

Estimated Damage

510 million US dollars

Source Country

Costa Rica

Triggering Earthquake

1991 Limon Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 25Costa Rica · 3.0 m3 deaths
• 16Panama · 3.0 m
• 2United States of America

Highest Waves

• 3.0 mMoin · Costa Rica · 35 km
• 3.0 mBoket Bay, Isla Colon · Panama · 89 km
• 2.0 mLime Point, Isla Colon · Panama · 87 km
• 2.0 mDoce Millas de Moin · Costa Rica · 39 km
• 2.0 mPunta Cauro, Isla Colon · Panama · 87 km
• 2.0 mPunta Uva (31) · Costa Rica · 43 km
• 1.7 mBananito · Costa Rica · 26 km
• 1.6 mPuerto Viejo (28) · Costa Rica · 35 km
• 1.4 mPatano · Costa Rica · 40 km
• 1.3 mWestfalia (23) · Costa Rica · 30 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2012Costa Rica · 0.2 m2 deaths
• 1983Costa Rica · 0.1 m6 deaths
• 1950Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Nicaragua · 2.0 m
• 1941Costa Rica-Panama, Costa Rica · 0.2 m6 deaths

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