World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1996
Historic Tsunami
1996 Peru Tsunami
12 November 1996 · South Peru · Peru
On 12 November 1996 at 16:59 UTC, a tsunami formed near South Peru, Peru. It was caused by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake. Waves reached up to 0.4 m high. It was observed at 4 locations in 3 countries or territories, up to 12,130 km from its source. It killed at least 14 people and injured 624.
- Date
- 12 November 1996
- Time
- 16:59 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.7
- Highest Wave
- 0.4 m
- Observation Sites
- 4
- Furthest Reach
- 12,130 km
- Deaths
- 14
- Injuries
- 624
- Homes Destroyed
- 4,006
- Source Country
- Peru
- Triggering Earthquake
- 1996 Nazca Earthquake
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
Highest Waves
- 0.2 mArica · Chile · 689 km
- 0.1 mCallao la Punta · Peru · 362 km
- 0.1 mCaldera · Chile · 1,428 km
- 0.1 mPort Vila, Efate Island · Vanuatu · 12,130 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2007South Peru, Peru · 10.1 m596 deaths
- 2001South Peru, Peru · 8.8 m103 deaths
- 1974Central Peru, Peru · 0.9 m78 deaths
- 1971Chungar, Peru · 30.0 m600 deaths
- 1942South Peru, Peru · 2.0 m30 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth