Historical tsunamis · Feb 24, 1981, 8:53 PM UTC
1981 Athens-Eastern Gulf of Corinth tsunami
Greece
The tsunami of Feb 24, 1981, 8:53 PM UTC originated near Athens-Eastern Gulf of Corinth (Greece).
Key facts
- Date
- Feb 24, 1981, 8:53 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M6.7
- Depth
- 33 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 1.00 m
- Deaths
- 22
- Injuries
- 400
- Houses destroyed
- 8,000
- Damage
- US$ 812 million
- Observation records
- 4
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 6.7 earthquake at a depth of 33 km.
The highest documented water height was 1.00 m (Alkionidhon Gulf (Alkyonides), Greece).
4 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 22 deaths.
Houses destroyed: 8,000.
Damage is estimated at US$ 812 million.
Map of observation sites
4Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | 4 | 1.00 m Alkionidhon Gulf (Alkyonides) | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
4 / 4Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkionidhon Gulf (Alkyonides) | 1.00 m | 22 km | Greece |
| Poseidonia | 0.15 m | 30 km | Greece |
| Corinth | — | 31 km | Greece |
| Patras | — | 105 km | Greece |
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.