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Historic Tsunami
2010 Vanuatu Tsunami
25 December 2010 · Vanuatu Islands · Vanuatu
On 25 December 2010 at 13:16 UTC, a tsunami formed near Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu. It was caused by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake. Waves reached up to 4.1 m high. It was observed at 12 locations in 3 countries or territories, up to 3,154 km from its source.
- Date
- 25 December 2010
- Time
- 13:16 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.3
- Highest Wave
- 4.1 m
- Observation Sites
- 12
- Furthest Reach
- 3,154 km
- Injuries
- 4
- Source Country
- Vanuatu
- Triggering Earthquake
- M 7.3, 2010
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
Highest Waves
- 4.1 mEpak, Tanna · Vanuatu · 140 km
- 3.4 mLenafa, Tanna · Vanuatu · 141 km
- 3.2 mIwiwon, Tanna · Vanuatu · 141 km
- 3.1 mEvergreen, Tanna · Vanuatu · 137 km
- 2.2 mLenami, Tanna · Vanuatu · 140 km
- 2.1 mWhite Grass, Tanna · Vanuatu · 137 km
- 1.8 mLamkail, Tanna · Vanuatu · 137 km
- 1.7 mLenakel, Tanna · Vanuatu · 140 km
- 0.2 mPort Vila, Efate Island · Vanuatu · 219 km
- 0.1 mSpring Bay, Tasmania · Australia · 3,154 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2024Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 0.3 m14 deaths
- 2018Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia · 4.0 m
- 2015Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 8.0 m
- 1999Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 6.6 m10 deaths
- 1995Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia · 8.0 m
- 1965Vanuatu Islands, Vanuatu · 7.0 m
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth