Historical tsunamis · May 17, 1947, 7:06 AM UTC
1947 Off Coast of North Island tsunami
New Zealand
The tsunami of May 17, 1947, 7:06 AM UTC originated near Off Coast of North Island (New Zealand).
Key facts
- Date
- May 17, 1947, 7:06 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M6.9
- Depth
- 12 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 6.00 m
- Observation records
- 3
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake at a depth of 12 km.
The highest documented water height was 6.00 m (Waihau Beach, New Zealand).
3 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
Map of observation sites
3Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 3 | 6.00 m Waihau Beach | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
3 / 3Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waihau Beach | 6.00 m | 122 km | New Zealand |
| Tatapouri | 5.00 m | 69 km | New Zealand |
| Tolaga Bay | 4.00 m | 48 km | New Zealand |
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.