Historic Tsunami

1996 Indonesia Tsunami

17 February 1996 · Irian Jaya · Indonesia

On 17 February 1996 at 05:59 UTC, a tsunami formed near Irian Jaya, Indonesia. It was caused by an earthquake and landslide. Waves reached up to 7.7 m high. It was observed at 116 locations in 5 countries or territories, up to 11,409 km from its source. It killed at least 164 people and injured 432.

Date

17 February 1996

Time

05:59 UTC

Cause

Earthquake and landslide

Earthquake Magnitude

8.2

Highest Wave

7.7 m

Observation Sites

116

Furthest Reach

11,409 km

Deaths

164

Injuries

432

Homes Destroyed

5,043

Estimated Damage

4 million US dollars

Source Country

Indonesia

Triggering Earthquake

1996 Biak Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 44Indonesia · 7.7 m71 deaths
• 51Japan · 1.0 m
• 13United States of America · 0.4 m
• 2Taiwan · 0.3 m
• 6Canada · 0.2 m

Highest Waves

• 7.7 mFarusi, Wardo, Biak Island · Indonesia · 130 km
• 7.7 mMardri, Biak Island · Indonesia · 130 km
• 7.0 mSarmi, Biak, Irian Jaya · Indonesia · 224 km
• 7.0 mYapen Island, Irian Jaya · Indonesia · 173 km3 deaths
• 5.4 mKorim, Biak Island · Indonesia · 102 km68 deaths
• 4.4 mWarsa, Biak Island · Indonesia · 115 km
• 4.3 mWari, Biak Island · Indonesia · 102 km
• 4.2 mMamoribo, Biak Island · Indonesia · 129 km
• 4.0 mManokwari · Indonesia · 319 km
• 3.8 mMarodori, Biak Island · Indonesia · 130 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2009Near North Coast, Indonesia · 0.4 m5 deaths
• 1979Irian Jaya, Indonesia · 2.0 m115 deaths
• 1900Bismarck Sea, Indonesia5 deaths

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