Historical tsunamis · Nov 29, 1975, 2:47 PM UTC
1975 Hawaii tsunami
United States
The tsunami of Nov 29, 1975, 2:47 PM UTC originated near Hawaii (United States).
Key facts
- Date
- Nov 29, 1975, 2:47 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake and landslide
- Magnitude
- M7.7
- Depth
- 2 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 14.3 m
- Deaths
- 2
- Injuries
- 19
- Damage
- US$ 4.0 million
- Observation records
- 84
- Countries affected
- 11
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake at a depth of 2 km.
The highest documented water height was 14.3 m (Keauhou Landing, Hawaii, Hi, United States).
84 observation sites in 11 countries are recorded.
Outside the source country, the earliest documented arrival was at Isla Guadalupe (Mexico) after 5:09 h.
The database records 2 deaths.
Damage is estimated at US$ 4.0 million.
Map of observation sites
84Each 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) · Nov 29, 1975, 2:47 PM UTC
- 0:24 hUnited States · Hilo, Hawaii, Hi · 2.60 m
- 5:09 hMexico · Isla Guadalupe · 0.43 m
- 6:08 hCanada · Tofino (Clayoquot),British Columbia · 0.05 m
- 7:42 hJapan · Hiroo · 0.12 m
8 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 35 | 14.3 m Keauhou Landing, Hawaii, Hi | 2 | 0:24 h |
 Mexico | 8 | 0.46 m Ensenada | — | 5:09 h |
 Japan | 25 | 0.25 m Ayukawa | — | 7:42 h |
 Peru | 2 | 0.24 m Talara | — | — |
 Chile | 5 | 0.23 m Caldera | — | — |
 Ecuador | 1 | 0.23 m Baltra Island | — | — |
 Samoa | 1 | 0.17 m Apia, Upolu Island | — | — |
| USA Territory | 3 | 0.11 m Pago Pago, American Samoa | — | — |
| Marshall Islands, Rep. Of | 1 | 0.06 m Kwajalein, Marshall Islands | — | — |
 Canada | 2 | 0.05 m Port Alberni, British Columbia | — | 6:08 h |
 Costa Rica | 1 | — | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 84Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keauhou Landing, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 14.30 m | 29 km | United States |
| Halape, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 7.90 m | 31 km | United States |
| Punaluu Bay, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 7.60 m | 60 km | United States |
| Kamoamoa, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 6.90 m | 15 km | United States |
| Honuapo, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 6.60 m | 68 km | United States |
| Kaalualu Bay, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 4.90 m | 82 km | United States |
| Kaimu, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 3.70 m | 11 km | United States |
| Cape Kumukahi, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 3.40 m | 26 km | United States |
| Napoopoo, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 3.30 m | 93 km | United States |
| Keauhou Bay, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 2.90 m | 99 km | United States |
| Hilo, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 2.60 m | 31 km | United States |
| Kalapana, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 2.40 m | 13 km | United States |
| Honokohau, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 2.20 m | 107 km | United States |
| Hookena, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 1.90 m | 91 km | United States |
| Kailua, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 1.80 m | 104 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.