Historic Tsunami

2010 Solomon Islands Tsunami

3 January 2010 · Solomon Islands

On 3 January 2010 at 22:36 UTC, a tsunami formed near the Solomon Islands. It was caused by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake. Waves reached up to 7.5 m high. It was observed at 51 locations in 3 countries or territories, up to 1,736 km from its source.

Date

3 January 2010

Time

22:36 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.1

Highest Wave

7.5 m

Observation Sites

51

Furthest Reach

1,736 km

Homes Destroyed

16

Source Country

Solomon Islands

Triggering Earthquake

January 2010 Solomon Islands Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 48Solomon Islands · 7.5 m
• 2Australia · 0.1 m
• 1Vanuatu · 0.1 m

Highest Waves

• 7.5 mRetavo, Rendova Island · Solomon Islands · 19 km
• 7.1 mEndotori Pt, Rendova Island · Solomon Islands · 17 km
• 7.0 mRetavo, Rendova Island · Solomon Islands · 19 km
• 6.9 mRetavo, Rendova Island · Solomon Islands · 19 km
• 6.8 mRetavo, Rendova Island · Solomon Islands · 19 km
• 6.6 mNdoro Pt, Rendova Island · Solomon Islands · 10 km
• 6.6 mRetavo, Rendova Island · Solomon Islands · 19 km
• 6.5 mRetavo, Rendova Island · Solomon Islands · 19 km
• 6.1 mRetavo, Rendova Island · Solomon Islands · 19 km
• 5.9 mRetavo, Rendova Island · Solomon Islands · 19 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2017Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea · 0.0 m3 deaths
• 2016Solomon Islands · 0.4 m1 deaths
• 2007Solomon Islands · 12.1 m52 deaths
• 1977Solomon Islands · 0.0 m18 deaths
• 1939Solomon Islands · 10.5 m12 deaths
• 1931San Cristobal Island, Solomon Islands · 9.0 m50 deaths

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