Tsunamis in Vanuatu

In a total of 12 tidal waves classified as a tsunami since 1875 a total of 5 people died in Vanuatu. Compared to other countries, Tsunamis therefore occur rather rarely.

The strongest tidal wave registered in Vanuatu so far reached a height of 12 meters. At this Tsunami on 01/10/1878 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 11/26/1999. A tidal wave of up to 6.6 meters killed 5 humans and destroyed vast areas.

Other natural hazards in Vanuatu:
› Volcanos
› Earthquake
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Back to overview: Vanuatu

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 Vanuatu since 1875

Date	Cause	max wave height	Deaths
12/05/2018	Earthquake in New Caledonia (Loyalty Islands) with a magnitude of 7.5.	2 m	0
02/19/2015	Earthquake in Vanuatu (Vanuatu Islands) with a magnitude of 6.4.	8 m	0
02/06/2013	Earthquake on the Solomon Islands (Santa Cruz Islands) with a magnitude of 7.9.	0 m	0
12/25/2010	Earthquake in Vanuatu (Vanuatu Islands) with a magnitude of 7.3.	4.1 m	0
01/02/2002	Earthquake in Vanuatu (Vanuatu Islands) with a magnitude of 7.2.	3 m	0
11/26/1999	Earthquake in Vanuatu (Vanuatu Islands) with a magnitude of 7.5.	6.6 m	5
04/21/1997	Earthquake on the Solomon Islands (Santa Cruz Is. Vanuatu) with a magnitude of 7.7.	0 m	0
08/11/1965	Earthquake in Vanuatu (Vanuatu Islands) with a magnitude of 7.0.	7 m	0
07/23/1961	Earthquake in Vanuatu (Vanuatu Islands) with a magnitude of 7.3.	0.90 m	0
08/09/1901	Earthquake in New Caledonia (Loyalty Islands) with a magnitude of 7.9. The tsunami also reached United States, Solomon Islands.	0 m	0
01/10/1878	Earthquake in Vanuatu (Tanna Island) with a magnitude of 7.5.	12 m	0
03/28/1875	Earthquake in New Caledonia (Lifou Island, Loyalty Islands) with a magnitude of 8.0.	4 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.