Historical tsunamis · Sep 1, 1981, 9:29 AM UTC
1981 Samoa Islands tsunami
Samoa
The tsunami of Sep 1, 1981, 9:29 AM UTC originated near Samoa Islands (Samoa).
Key facts
- Date
- Sep 1, 1981, 9:29 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.7
- Depth
- 25 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 1.00 m
- Deaths
- few (up to about 50)
- Houses destroyed
- few (up to about 50)
- Damage
- limited (under US$ 1 million)
- Observation records
- 4
- Countries affected
- 2
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake at a depth of 25 km.
The highest documented water height was 1.00 m (Manono Island, Samoa).
4 observation sites in 2 countries are recorded.
The database records few (up to about 50) deaths.
Houses destroyed: few (up to about 50).
Damage is estimated at limited (under US$ 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samoa | 3 | 1.00 m Manono Island | — | — |
| USA Territory | 1 | 0.12 m Pago Pago, American Samoa | — | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manono Island | 1.00 m | 161 km | Samoa |
| Pago Pago, American Samoa · As | 0.12 m | 269 km | USA Territory |
| Apia, Upolu Island | 0.10 m | 190 km | Samoa |
| Taga, Saai'i Island | — | 143 km | Samoa |
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.