World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 2003
Historic Tsunami
2003 Mexico Tsunami
22 January 2003 · South Mexico · Mexico
On 22 January 2003 at 02:06 UTC, a tsunami formed near South Mexico, Mexico. It was caused by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake. Waves reached up to 0.6 m high. It was observed at 6 locations in 2 countries or territories, up to 4,109 km from its source. It killed at least 29 people and injured 1,073.
- Date
- 22 January 2003
- Time
- 02:06 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.5
- Highest Wave
- 0.6 m
- Observation Sites
- 6
- Furthest Reach
- 4,109 km
- Deaths
- 29
- Injuries
- 1,073
- Homes Destroyed
- 2,005
- Estimated Damage
- 116 million US dollars
- Source Country
- Mexico
- Triggering Earthquake
- 2003 Colima Earthquake
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
Highest Waves
- 0.6 mManzanillo · Mexico · 39 km
- 0.4 mZihuatanejo · Mexico · 297 km
- 0.1 mLazaro Cardenas · Mexico · 223 km
- 0.1 mTofino (Clayoquot),british Columbia · Canada · 3,896 km
- 0.0 mWinter Harbor, British Columbia · Canada · 4,109 km
- 0.0 mBamfield, British Columbia · Canada · 3,834 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 1995South Mexico, Mexico · 11.0 m50 deaths
- 1985Mexico · 3.0 m9,500 deaths
- 1973South Mexico, Mexico · 1.1 m56 deaths
- 1941Mexico84 deaths
- 1932Central Mexico, Mexico · 10.0 m75 deaths
- 1932Central Mexico, Mexico · 10.0 m400 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth