World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1996
Historic Tsunami
1996 Peru Tsunami
21 February 1996 · North Peru · Peru
On 21 February 1996 at 12:51 UTC, a tsunami formed near North Peru, Peru. It was caused by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake. Waves reached up to 5.0 m high. It was observed at 59 locations in 6 countries or territories, up to 9,054 km from its source. It killed at least 12 people and injured 57.
- Date
- 21 February 1996
- Time
- 12:51 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.5
- Highest Wave
- 5.0 m
- Observation Sites
- 59
- Furthest Reach
- 9,054 km
- Deaths
- 12
- Injuries
- 57
- Homes Destroyed
- 15
- Source Country
- Peru
- Triggering Earthquake
- 1996 Chimbote Earthquake
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 47Peru · 5.0 m24 deaths
- 3French Polynesia · 2.0 m
- 5Chile · 0.3 m
- 1Ecuador · 0.2 m
- 2United States of America · 0.2 m
- 1Mexico · 0.1 m
Highest Waves
- 5.0 mCulebras I, Bluff · Peru · 154 km
- 5.0 mChimbote · Peru · 121 km
- 4.9 mPort of Chimbote Ii, Pier · Peru · 122 km
- 4.7 mCoishco I (Wall) · Peru · 124 km6 deaths
- 4.5 mEnsenada la Posa Iv · Peru · 119 km
- 4.4 mEnsenada la Posa Iii · Peru · 119 km
- 4.1 mEnsenada la Posa I · Peru · 119 km
- 3.8 mNotch Nw of Ens. la Posa · Peru · 119 km
- 3.8 mLa Posa Huanchaco · Peru · 174 km
- 3.6 mEnsenada la Posa Ii, Boat Ramp · Peru · 119 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2010513 Lake, Hualcan Glacier, Peru · 23.0 m1 deaths
- 1974Central Peru, Peru · 0.9 m78 deaths
- 1971Chungar, Peru · 30.0 m600 deaths
- 1970North Peru, Peru · 0.5 m66,794 deaths
- 1966Central Peru, Peru · 3.0 m110 deaths
- 1960North Peru, Peru · 9.0 m66 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth