Historic Tsunami

1999 Montserrat Tsunami

20 January 1999 · Soufriere Hills Volcano · Montserrat

On 20 January 1999, a tsunami formed near Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat. It was caused by a volcanic eruption. Waves reached up to 2.0 m high. It was observed at 3 locations in 3 countries or territories.

Date

20 January 1999

Cause

Volcanic eruption

Highest Wave

2.0 m

Observation Sites

3

Furthest Reach

83 km

Source Country

Montserrat

Triggering Volcano

Soufrière Hills

Triggering Eruption

Soufrière Hills, 1999

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 1Montserrat · 2.0 m
• 1France · 0.5 m
• 1Antigua and Barbuda · 0.5 m

Highest Waves

• 2.0 mSoufriere Hills · Montserrat · 0 km
• 0.5 mGuadeloupe · France · 83 km
• 0.5 mAntigua · Antigua and Barbuda · 54 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2004Basse-Terre, Les Saintes, France · 2.0 m1 deaths
• 2003Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat · 4.0 m
• 1902Mount Pelee, France · 3.0 m1,500 deaths
• 1902Mount Pelee, France · 4.0 m
• 1902Soufriere Volcano, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · 1.0 m1,680 deaths
• 1902Mount Pelee, France · 5.0 m23 deaths

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