Historical tsunamis · Apr 19, 1955, 8:24 PM UTC
1955 Central Chile tsunami
Chile
The tsunami of Apr 19, 1955, 8:24 PM UTC originated near Central Chile (Chile).
Key facts
- Date
- Apr 19, 1955, 8:24 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.1
- Depth
- 30 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 1.00 m
- Deaths
- 1
- Houses destroyed
- few (up to about 50)
- Damage
- limited (under US$ 1 million)
- Observation records
- 7
- Countries affected
- 2
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake at a depth of 30 km.
The highest documented water height was 1.00 m (Coquimbo, Chile).
7 observation sites in 2 countries are recorded.
The database records 1 deaths.
Houses destroyed: few (up to about 50).
Damage is estimated at limited (under US$ 1 million).
Map of observation sites
7Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chile | 4 | 1.00 m Coquimbo | 1 | — |
 United States | 3 | 0.10 m Hilo, Hawaii, Hi | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
7 / 7Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coquimbo · Coquimbo | 1.00 m | 64 km | Chile |
| La Serena · Coquimbo | 1.00 m | 72 km | Chile |
| Tongoy · Coquimbo | 1.00 m | 55 km | Chile |
| Arica · Arica Y Parinacota | 0.50 m | 1,288 km | Chile |
| Hilo, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 0.10 m | 10,451 km | United States |
| Honolulu, Oahu, Hi · Hi | 0.10 m | 10,792 km | United States |
| Kahului, Maui, Hi · Hi | 0.10 m | 10,644 km | United States |
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.