Historic Tsunami

1999 Vanuatu Tsunami

26 November 1999 · Vanuatu Islands · Vanuatu

On 26 November 1999 at 13:21 UTC, a tsunami formed near Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu. It was caused by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake. Waves reached up to 6.6 m high. It was observed at 53 locations in 12 countries or territories, up to 9,413 km from its source. It killed at least 10 people and injured 100.

Date

26 November 1999

Time

13:21 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.5

Highest Wave

6.6 m

Observation Sites

53

Furthest Reach

9,413 km

Deaths

10

Injuries

100

Source Country

Vanuatu

Triggering Earthquake

1999 Ambrym Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 13Vanuatu · 6.6 m5 deaths
• 2Fiji · 1.0 m
• 2Taiwan · 0.2 m
• 21Japan · 0.2 m
• 8United States of America · 0.1 m
• 1Niue · 0.1 m
• 1Tuvalu · 0.1 m
• 1Naoero · 0.1 m
• 1Samoa · 0.1 m
• 1Marshall Islands, Rep. Of · 0.1 m
• 1French Polynesia · 0.1 m
• 1New Zealand · 0.1 m

Highest Waves

• 6.6 mBaie Martelli, Pentecost Island · Vanuatu · 47 km5 deaths
• 4.7 mPentecost Island (Southeast) · Vanuatu · 55 km
• 3.6 mAmbrym Island · Vanuatu · 34 km
• 3.4 mPentecost Island (Southwest) · Vanuatu · 47 km
• 3.4 mPentecost Island (West) · Vanuatu · 54 km
• 2.6 mEfate Island · Vanuatu · 130 km
• 2.4 mWest of Port Vila, Efate Island · Vanuatu · 146 km
• 2.2 mAmbryn Island (West) · Vanuatu · 30 km
• 2.1 mAmbryn Island (Northwest) · Vanuatu · 35 km
• 1.8 mTisman Bay, Malakula · Vanuatu · 60 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2024Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 0.3 m14 deaths
• 2015Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 8.0 m
• 2010Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 4.1 m
• 2002Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 3.0 m
• 1997Santa Cruz Is. Vanuatu, Solomon Islands · 3.0 m
• 1965Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 7.0 m

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