Historical tsunamis · Dec 28, 1908, 4:20 AM UTC
1908 Messina Strait, Ionian Sea tsunami
Italy
The tsunami of Dec 28, 1908, 4:20 AM UTC originated near Messina Strait, Ionian Sea (Italy).
Key facts
- Date
- Dec 28, 1908, 4:20 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake and landslide
- Magnitude
- M7.0
- Depth
- 40 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 13.0 m
- Deaths
- 80,000
- Houses destroyed
- very many (over 1,000)
- Damage
- US$ 116 million
- Observation records
- 87
- Countries affected
- 5
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake at a depth of 40 km.
The highest documented water height was 13.0 m (Pellaro, Italy).
87 observation sites in 5 countries are recorded.
The database records 80,000 deaths.
Houses destroyed: very many (over 1,000).
Damage is estimated at US$ 116 million.
Map of observation sites
87Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 76 | 13.0 m Pellaro | 294 | — |
 Malta | 8 | 6.00 m Xlendi, Gozo Island | — | — |
 Tunisia | 1 | 0.20 m Biserta | — | — |
 Egypt | 1 | — | — | — |
 Libya | 1 | — | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 87Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pellaro · Calabria | 13.00 m | 18 km | Italy |
| S. Alessio · Sicily | 11.70 m | 34 km | Italy |
| Lazzaro · Calabria | 10.50 m | 24 km | Italy |
| Calabernardo · Sicily | 10.00 m | 150 km | Italy |
| Reggio Calabria · Calabria | 9.70 m | 10 km | Italy |
| Giardini Naxos · Sicily | 9.50 m | 47 km | Italy |
| Nizza Di Sicilla · Sicily | 9.20 m | 25 km | Italy |
| Briga Marina · Sicily | 8.50 m | 13 km | Italy |
| Ali Marina · Sicily | 8.40 m | 23 km | Italy |
| Furci · Sicily | 8.00 m | 30 km | Italy |
| Galati Marina · Sicily | 8.00 m | 10 km | Italy |
| Roccalumera · Sicily | 8.00 m | 28 km | Italy |
| Scaletta Zanclea · Sicily | 8.00 m | 17 km | Italy |
| Itala · Sicily | 7.90 m | 18 km | Italy |
| Giampileri Marina · Sicily | 7.20 m | 14 km | Italy |
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.