Tsunamis in New Caledonia

In a total of 10 tidal waves classified as a tsunami since 1875 a total of 25 people died in New Caledonia. Compared to other countries, Tsunamis therefore occur rather rarely.

The strongest tidal wave registered in New Caledonia so far reached a height of 3 meters. At this Tsunami on 05/01/1942 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 03/28/1875. A tidal wave of up to 2.5 meters killed 25 humans and destroyed vast areas.

Other natural hazards in New Caledonia:
› Earthquake
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Back to overview: New Caledonia

The marked positions on the map represent the most effected regions within the past 150 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 New Caledonia since 1875

DateCausemax wave heightDeathsTotal damage
12/05/2018Earthquake in New Caledonia (Loyalty Islands) with a magnitude of 7.5.2 m0
04/01/2007Earthquake on the Solomon Islands (Solomon Islands) with a magnitude of 8.1. The tsunami also reached Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea. A total of 50 humans died.2 m0
03/12/1997Eruption in New Caledonia (New Caledonia)2 m0
11/04/1952Earthquake in Russia (Kamchatka) with a magnitude of 9.0. The tsunami caused damages in 11 further countries. A total of 10,000 humans died.1 m0
12/02/1950Earthquake in Vanuatu (Vanuatu Islands) with a magnitude of 7.8.2.5 m0
05/01/1942Eruption in New Caledonia (New Caledonia)3 m0
01/01/1936Eruption in New Caledonia (New Caledonia)2.2 m0
10/03/1931Earthquake on the Solomon Islands (San Cristobal Island) with a magnitude of 7.8.1.3 m0
09/20/1920Earthquake in Vanuatu (Vanuatu Islands) with a magnitude of 7.8.0 m0
03/28/1875Earthquake in New Caledonia (Lifou Island, Loyalty Islands) with a magnitude of 8.0.2.5 m25


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.