Historical tsunamis · Oct 9, 1995, 3:35 PM UTC
1995 S. Mexico tsunami
Mexico
The tsunami of Oct 9, 1995, 3:35 PM UTC originated near S. Mexico (Mexico).
Key facts
- Date
- Oct 9, 1995, 3:35 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M8.0
- Depth
- 33 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 5.10 m
- Deaths
- 50
- Injuries
- 200
- Houses destroyed
- some (about 51–100)
- Damage
- moderate (about US$ 1–5 million)
- Observation records
- 37
- Countries affected
- 7
It was triggered by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake at a depth of 33 km.
The highest documented water height was 5.10 m (Barra de Navidad, Mexico).
37 observation sites in 7 countries are recorded.
Outside the source country, the earliest documented arrival was at Port Vila, Efate Island (Vanuatu) after 14:19 h.
The database records 50 deaths.
Houses destroyed: some (about 51–100).
Damage is estimated at moderate (about US$ 1–5 million).
Map of observation sites
37Each 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) · Oct 9, 1995, 3:35 PM UTC
- 0:10 hMexico · Melaque · 3.00 m
- 14:19 hVanuatu · Port Vila, Efate Island · 0.07 m
3 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 25 | 10.9 m Santiago Bay - Vida del Mar Resort | 1 | 0:10 h |
 French Polynesia | 3 | 0.50 m Hiva Oa Island, Marquesas Islands | — | — |
 United States | 4 | 0.19 m Hilo, Hawaii, Hi | — | — |
| USA Territory | 1 | 0.19 m Pago Pago, American Samoa | — | — |
 Vanuatu | 1 | 0.07 m Port Vila, Efate Island | — | 14:19 h |
 Ecuador | 1 | 0.04 m Baltra Island | — | — |
 Australia | 2 | 0.03 m Mooloolaba | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 37Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santiago Bay - Vida del Mar Resort · Colima Classified as doubtful | 10.90 m | 21 km | Mexico |
| Barra de Navidad · Jalisco | 5.10 m | 52 km | Mexico |
| Boca de Iguanas · Jalisco | 5.10 m | 69 km | Mexico |
| Chamela 2 · Jalisco | 4.90 m | 112 km | Mexico |
| San Mateo · Jalisco | 4.90 m | 108 km | Mexico |
| Melaque · Jalisco | 4.50 m | 56 km | Mexico |
| Cuastecomate · Jalisco | 4.40 m | 57 km | Mexico |
| Majagua · Colima | 4.40 m | 22 km | Mexico |
| Playa de Oro · Colima | 4.08 m | 33 km | Mexico |
| La Manzanilla · Colima | 4.00 m | 66 km | Mexico |
| El Tecuan · Jalisco | 3.80 m | 82 km | Mexico |
| Santiago Bay - South · Colima | 3.79 m | 11 km | Mexico |
| Manzanillo 1 · Colima | 3.74 m | 20 km | Mexico |
| Careyes · Jalisco | 3.50 m | 98 km | Mexico |
| Perula · Jalisco | 3.40 m | 113 km | Mexico |
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.