Historic Tsunami

2016 Solomon Islands Tsunami

8 December 2016 · Solomon Islands

On 8 December 2016 at 17:38 UTC, a tsunami formed near the Solomon Islands. It was caused by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Waves reached up to 0.4 m high. It was observed at 13 locations in 4 countries or territories, up to 1,384 km from its source. It killed at least 1 person.

Date

8 December 2016

Time

17:38 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.8

Highest Wave

0.4 m

Observation Sites

13

Furthest Reach

1,384 km

Deaths

1

Homes Destroyed

191

Source Country

Solomon Islands

Triggering Earthquake

2016 Solomon Island Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 5New Caledonia · 0.4 m
• 4Vanuatu · 0.3 m
• 3Solomon Islands · 0.1 m
• 1Papua New Guinea

Highest Waves

• 0.4 mHienghene · New Caledonia · 1,174 km
• 0.3 mLitzlitz, Malekula Island · Vanuatu · 894 km
• 0.2 mPort Vila, Efate Island · Vanuatu · 1,086 km
• 0.2 mLuganville · Vanuatu · 831 km
• 0.1 mOuinne · New Caledonia · 1,375 km
• 0.1 mHoniara, Guadalcanal · Solomon Islands · 204 km
• 0.1 mLenakel, Tanna · Vanuatu · 1,298 km
• 0.1 mLifou Island · New Caledonia · 1,300 km
• 0.1 mLata Wharf, Nendo Is, Santa Cruz Is · Solomon Islands · 490 km
• 0.1 mThio · New Caledonia · 1,319 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2013Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands · 11.0 m10 deaths
• 1988Solomon Islands · 0.1 m1 deaths
• 1977Solomon Islands · 0.0 m18 deaths
• 1977Solomon Islands · 0.2 m34 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