World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 2003
Historic Tsunami
2003 New Zealand Tsunami
21 August 2003 · South Island · New Zealand
On 21 August 2003 at 12:12 UTC, a tsunami formed near South Island, New Zealand. It was caused by an earthquake and landslide. Waves reached up to 4.0 m high. It was observed at 3 locations in 2 countries or territories, up to 1,818 km from its source.
- Date
- 21 August 2003
- Time
- 12:12 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake and landslide
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.2
- Highest Wave
- 4.0 m
- Observation Sites
- 3
- Furthest Reach
- 1,818 km
- Source Country
- New Zealand
- Triggering Earthquake
- M 7.2, 2003
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 2New Zealand · 4.0 m
- 1Australia · 0.1 m
Highest Waves
- 4.0 mCharles Sound · New Zealand · 4 km
- 0.2 mJackson Bay · New Zealand · 172 km
- 0.1 mPort Kembla · Australia · 1,818 km
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth