Historical tsunamis · Jan 1, 1996, 8:05 AM UTC
1996 Sulawesi tsunami
Indonesia
The tsunami of Jan 1, 1996, 8:05 AM UTC originated near Sulawesi (Indonesia).
Key facts
- Date
- Jan 1, 1996, 8:05 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.9
- Depth
- 24 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 3.43 m
- Deaths
- 9
- Injuries
- 63
- Houses destroyed
- 400
- Damage
- US$ 1.2 million
- Observation records
- 16
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake at a depth of 24 km.
The highest documented water height was 3.43 m (Tonggolobibi, Indonesia).
16 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 9 deaths.
Houses destroyed: 400.
Damage is estimated at US$ 1.2 million.
Map of observation sites
16Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 16 | 3.43 m Tonggolobibi | 9 | — |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 16Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonggolobibi · Central Sulawesi | 3.43 m | 28 km | Indonesia |
| Tonggolobibi · Central Sulawesi | 3.37 m | 28 km | Indonesia |
| Taipah · Central Sulawesi | 3.25 m | 28 km | Indonesia |
| Taipah · Central Sulawesi | 3.19 m | 28 km | Indonesia |
| Munte · Central Sulawesi | 3.17 m | 28 km | Indonesia |
| Limbosu · Central Sulawesi | 2.81 m | 28 km | Indonesia |
| Balukang · Central Sulawesi | 2.52 m | 20 km | Indonesia |
| Taipah (River Mouth) · Central Sulawesi | 2.48 m | 28 km | Indonesia |
| Taipah · Central Sulawesi | 2.40 m | 28 km | Indonesia |
| Dongko · Central Sulawesi | 2.39 m | 36 km | Indonesia |
| Pangalaseang Island · Central Sulawesi | 2.28 m | 27 km | Indonesia |
| Simuntu · Central Sulawesi | 2.00 m | 39 km | Indonesia |
| Tonggolobibi · Central Sulawesi | 1.82 m | 28 km | Indonesia |
| Soni · Central Sulawesi | 1.79 m | 29 km | Indonesia |
| Siboang · Central Sulawesi | 1.78 m | 28 km | Indonesia |
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.