Historical tsunamis · Dec 19, 1982, 5:43 PM UTC
1982 Kermadec Islands tsunami
Tonga
The tsunami of Dec 19, 1982, 5:43 PM UTC originated near Kermadec Islands (Tonga).
Key facts
- Date
- Dec 19, 1982, 5:43 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.5
- Depth
- 33 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 0.20 m
- Observation records
- 4
- Countries affected
- 3
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake at a depth of 33 km.
The highest documented water height was 0.20 m.
4 observation sites in 3 countries are recorded.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 French Polynesia | 1 | 0.15 m Papeete, Tahiti | — | — |
| USA Territory | 1 | 0.09 m Pago Pago, American Samoa | — | — |
 United States | 2 | 0.06 m Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Hi | — | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papeete, Tahiti · Society Islands | 0.15 m | 2,827 km | French Polynesia |
| Pago Pago, American Samoa · As | 0.09 m | 1,219 km | USA Territory |
| Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 0.06 m | 5,300 km | United States |
| Honolulu, Oahu, Hi · Hi | 0.05 m | 5,392 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.