Historical tsunamis · Apr 25, 1992, 6:06 PM UTC
1992 Cape Mendocino, N. California tsunami
United States
The tsunami of Apr 25, 1992, 6:06 PM UTC originated near Cape Mendocino, N. California (United States).
Key facts
- Date
- Apr 25, 1992, 6:06 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.2
- Depth
- 15 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 1.80 m
- Injuries
- 98
- Damage
- US$ 66 million
- Observation records
- 14
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake at a depth of 15 km.
The highest documented water height was 1.80 m.
14 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
Damage is estimated at US$ 66 million.
Map of observation sites
14Each 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) · Apr 25, 1992, 6:06 PM UTC
- 0:26 hUnited States · North Spit, Humboldt Bay, Ca · 0.20 m
5 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 14 | 0.90 m Trinidad, Ca | — | 0:26 h |
Highest documented water heights
14 / 14Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad, Ca · Ca | 0.90 m | 78 km | United States |
| Crescent City, Ca · Ca | 0.55 m | 153 km | United States |
| North Spit, Humboldt Bay, Ca · Ca | 0.20 m | 45 km | United States |
| Arena Cove, Ca · Ca | 0.12 m | 170 km | United States |
| Arcadia, Ca · Ca | 0.11 m | 888 km | United States |
| Point Reyes, Ca · Ca | 0.11 m | 288 km | United States |
| Kahului, Maui, Hi · Hi | 0.08 m | 3,730 km | United States |
| Port San Luis, Ca · Ca | 0.07 m | 656 km | United States |
| Port Orford, Or · Or | 0.05 m | 264 km | United States |
| Alameda, Ca · Ca | 0.04 m | 337 km | United States |
| Hilo, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 0.04 m | 3,712 km | United States |
| Fort Point, Ca · Ca | 0.03 m | 326 km | United States |
| Monterey, Ca · Ca | 0.03 m | 468 km | United States |
| Clam Beach, Ca · Ca | — | 70 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.