World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 2012
Historic Tsunami
2012 Costa Rica Tsunami
5 September 2012 · Costa Rica
On 5 September 2012 at 14:42 UTC, a tsunami formed near Costa Rica. It was caused by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake. Waves reached up to 0.2 m high. It was observed at 5 locations in 3 countries or territories, up to 1,595 km from its source. It killed at least 2 people and injured 20.
- Date
- 5 September 2012
- Time
- 14:42 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.6
- Highest Wave
- 0.2 m
- Observation Sites
- 5
- Furthest Reach
- 1,595 km
- Deaths
- 2
- Injuries
- 20
- Estimated Damage
- 45 million US dollars
- Source Country
- Costa Rica
- Triggering Earthquake
- 2012 Costa Rica Earthquake
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 2Ecuador · 0.2 m
- 2Costa Rica
- 1Mexico
Highest Waves
- 0.2 mSanta Cruz Island · Ecuador · 1,320 km
- 0.1 mBaltra Island · Ecuador · 1,287 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2014Gulf of Fonseca, El Salvador · 0.0 m1 deaths
- 2001El Salvador · 0.3 m844 deaths
- 1992Nicaragua · 9.9 m170 deaths
- 1991Limon, Pandora, Costa Rica · 3.0 m90 deaths
- 1983Costa Rica · 0.1 m6 deaths
- 1941Costa Rica-Panama, Costa Rica · 0.2 m6 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth