Historical tsunamis · Jan 14, 1907, 8:38 PM UTC
1907 Jamaica tsunami
Jamaica
The tsunami of Jan 14, 1907, 8:38 PM UTC originated near Jamaica (Jamaica).
Key facts
- Date
- Jan 14, 1907, 8:38 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M6.2
- Depth
- 15 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 2.50 m
- Deaths
- 1,000
- Houses destroyed
- many (about 101–1,000)
- Damage
- US$ 30 million
- Observation records
- 12
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake at a depth of 15 km.
The highest documented water height was 2.50 m (Buff Bay, Jamaica).
12 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 1,000 deaths.
Houses destroyed: many (about 101–1,000).
Damage is estimated at US$ 30 million.
Map of observation sites
12Each dot is a documented observation site; colour and size show the observed water height. The triangle marks the source.
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | 12 | 2.50 m Buff Bay | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
12 / 12Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buff Bay | 2.50 m | 66 km | Jamaica |
| Hope Bay | 2.50 m | 62 km | Jamaica |
| Kingston Harbor | 2.50 m | 98 km | Jamaica |
| Ocho Rios | 2.50 m | 96 km | Jamaica |
| Orange Bay | 2.50 m | 222 km | Jamaica |
| Port Antonio | 2.50 m | 60 km | Jamaica |
| Saint Ann's Bay | 2.50 m | 105 km | Jamaica |
| Sheerness Bay | 2.50 m | 71 km | Jamaica |
| Port Maria | 2.40 m | 78 km | Jamaica |
| Annotto Bay | 2.20 m | 71 km | Jamaica |
| Fort Clarence | — | 109 km | Jamaica |
| Yallahs Point | — | 95 km | Jamaica |
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.