Tsunamis in Peru

In a total of 23 tidal waves classified as a tsunami since 1586 a total of 6,042 people died in Peru. Compared to other countries, Tsunamis therefore occur more often than average, but still moderate.

The strongest tidal wave registered in Peru so far reached a height of 26 meters. At this Tsunami on 07/10/1586 no losses of human lifes have been registered.

The biggest impact in terms of lifes, injuries, destroyed homes and economy had been a tsunami on 10/29/1746. A tidal wave of up to 24 meters killed 4,800 humans and destroyed vast areas.

Other natural hazards in Peru:
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The marked positions on the map represent the most effected regions within the past 440 years.

Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes or other seismic eruptions on ground of an oceans and can cause massive tidal waves, which run with enormous force on land, causing great devastation. Especially in regions with only few tsunamis, the damage is often drastic, as the population does not expect tsunamis and thus hardly takes any protective measures. Even relatively small flood waves can lead to high losses and financial damage.

The largest tsunamis in Peru since 1586

Date	Cause	max wave height	Deaths
03/11/2011	Earthquake in Japan (Honshu Island) with a magnitude of 9.1. The tsunami caused damages in 11 further countries. A total of 18,431 humans died.	1.5 m	0
08/15/2007	Earthquake in Peru (S. Peru) with a magnitude of 8.0.	10.05 m	3
06/23/2001	Earthquake in Peru (S. Peru) with a magnitude of 8.4.	8.8 m	24
02/21/1996	Earthquake in Peru (N. Peru) with a magnitude of 7.5.	5.0 m	24
10/17/1966	Earthquake in Peru (Central Peru) with a magnitude of 8.1.	3 m	0
11/20/1960	Earthquake in Peru (N. Peru) with a magnitude of 6.8.	9 m	79
05/22/1960	Earthquake in Chile (Southern Chile) with a magnitude of 9.5. The tsunami caused damages in 13 further countries. A total of 2,226 humans died.	1.1 m	0
12/12/1953	Earthquake in Peru (N. Peru) with a magnitude of 7.4.	1 m	0
11/04/1952	Earthquake in Russia (Kamchatka) with a magnitude of 9.0. The tsunami caused damages in 11 further countries. A total of 10,000 humans died.	0.30 m	0
04/01/1946	Earthquake, landslide in the United States (Unimak Island, Ak) with a magnitude of 8.6. The tsunami caused damages in 6 further countries. A total of 167 humans died.	0 m	1
08/24/1942	Earthquake, landslide in Peru (S. Peru) with a magnitude of 8.2.	2 m	0
11/11/1922	Earthquake in Chile (Northern Chile) with a magnitude of 8.7. The tsunami also reached Japan, American Samoa, United States, Chile. A total of 200 humans died.	2.4 m	0
05/31/1895	Earthquake in Chile (Northern Chile)	0 m	0
01/27/1878	Eruption in Peru (Central Peru)	0 m	5
05/10/1877	Earthquake in Chile (Northern Chile) with a magnitude of 8.3. The tsunami caused damages in 7 further countries. A total of 2,282 humans died.	6 m	0
08/13/1868	Earthquake in Chile (Northern Chile) with a magnitude of 8.5. The tsunami caused damages in 6 further countries. A total of 25,000 humans died.	15 m	550
01/08/1865	Earthquake in Peru (Central Peru)	2 m	5
12/01/1806	Earthquake in Peru (Central Peru) with a magnitude of 7.5.	1 m	0
10/29/1746	Earthquake in Peru (Central Peru) with a magnitude of 8.0.	24 m	4,800
10/20/1687	Earthquake in Peru (S. Peru) with a magnitude of 8.5.	0 m	500
06/17/1678	Earthquake in Peru (Central Peru) with a magnitude of 8.4.	0 m	0
11/24/1604	Earthquake in Peru (S. Peru) with a magnitude of 8.5.	3.5 m	51
07/10/1586	Earthquake in Peru (Central Peru) with a magnitude of 8.5.	26 m	0

These statistics are based on datas from the National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): Global Historical Tsunami Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K. Several data have been summarized and translated.