Historic Tsunami

2003 Montserrat Tsunami

12 July 2003 · Soufriere Hills Volcano · Montserrat

On 12 July 2003, a tsunami formed near Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat. It was caused by a volcanic eruption. Waves reached up to 4.0 m high. It was observed at 5 locations in 2 countries or territories.

Date

12 July 2003

Cause

Volcanic eruption

Highest Wave

4.0 m

Observation Sites

5

Furthest Reach

87 km

Source Country

Montserrat

Triggering Volcano

Soufrière Hills

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 1Montserrat · 4.0 m
• 4France · 1.0 m

Highest Waves

• 4.0 mFarm Bay · Montserrat · 3 km
• 1.0 mDeshaies, Basse-Terre Island · France · 62 km
• 0.6 mVieux Habitants · France · 87 km
• 0.5 mMalendure · France · 75 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2004Basse-Terre, Les Saintes, France · 2.0 m1 deaths
• 1997White River Valley, Montserrat · 3.0 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