Historical tsunamis · Sep 21, 1897, 5:12 AM UTC
1897 Sulu Sea tsunami
Philippines
The tsunami of Sep 21, 1897, 5:12 AM UTC originated near Sulu Sea (Philippines).
Key facts
- Date
- Sep 21, 1897, 5:12 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M8.7
- Depth
- 33 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 7.00 m
- Deaths
- 13
- Injuries
- 14
- Houses destroyed
- 33
- Damage
- severe (about US$ 5–25 million)
- Observation records
- 18
- Countries affected
- 3
It was triggered by a magnitude 8.7 earthquake at a depth of 33 km.
The highest documented water height was 7.00 m (Isabela, Basilan Island, Philippines).
18 observation sites in 3 countries are recorded.
Outside the source country, the earliest documented arrival was at Siau Island (Indonesia) after 1:30 h.
The database records 13 deaths.
Houses destroyed: 33.
Damage is estimated at severe (about US$ 5–25 million).
Map of observation sites
18Each dot is a documented observation site; colour and size show the observed water height. The triangle marks the source.
Tsunami arrival times
Documented arrival times from the NOAA/NCEI database, showing the earliest recorded location per country. Coverage is incomplete: a country without an entry was not necessarily spared.
- 0:00 hEarthquake (origin)
- 0:15 hPhilippines · Jolo Island · 1.00 m
- 1:30 hIndonesia · Siau Island
3 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | 16 | 7.00 m Isabela, Basilan Island | 13 | 0:15 h |
 Malaysia | 1 | — | — | — |
 Indonesia | 1 | — | — | 1:30 h |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 18Individual documented observations for this event. Heights come from different measurement types and sources; not every location has a measured height.
| Location / station | Observed height | Distance from source | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isabela, Basilan Island | 7.00 m | 79 km | Philippines |
| Basilan Island | 6.00 m | 78 km | Philippines |
| Zamboanga | 5.00 m | 101 km | Philippines |
| Dapitan | 2.00 m | 333 km | Philippines |
| Port Santa Maria, Siokon | 2.00 m | 195 km | Philippines |
| Jolo Island | 1.00 m | 109 km | Philippines |
| Balauan, Basilan Island | — | 79 km | Philippines |
| Cuyo Island | — | 545 km | Philippines |
| Labotan, Basilan Island | — | 79 km | Philippines |
| Matiban, Basilan Island | — | 79 km | Philippines |
| Negros Island | — | 456 km | Philippines |
| Northern Borneo | — | 554 km | Malaysia |
| Palawan | — | 574 km | Philippines |
| Panay Island | — | 524 km | Philippines |
| Panigayan, Basilan Island | — | 79 km | Philippines |
More tsunamis
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Historical Tsunami Database. Confirmed events only. Deaths and damage are database estimates; older records are incomplete. Water heights come from different types of observation.