Historical tsunamis · Jul 3, 1985, 4:36 AM UTC
1985 New Ireland tsunami
Papua New Guinea
The tsunami of Jul 3, 1985, 4:36 AM UTC originated near New Ireland (Papua New Guinea).
Key facts
- Date
- Jul 3, 1985, 4:36 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake and landslide
- Magnitude
- M7.3
- Depth
- 46 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 1.30 m
- Houses destroyed
- few (up to about 50)
- Damage
- US$ 1.0 million
- Observation records
- 2
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake at a depth of 46 km.
The highest documented water height was 1.30 m (Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea).
2 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
Houses destroyed: few (up to about 50).
Damage is estimated at US$ 1.0 million.
Map of observation sites
2Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Papua New Guinea | 2 | 1.30 m Rabaul, New Britain | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
2 / 2Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabaul, New Britain · East New Britain | 1.30 m | 76 km | Papua New Guinea |
| Simpson Harbour, New Britain · East New Britain | 1.20 m | 77 km | Papua New Guinea |
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.