Historical tsunamis · Feb 17, 1996, 5:59 AM UTC
1996 Irian Jaya tsunami
Indonesia
The tsunami of Feb 17, 1996, 5:59 AM UTC originated near Irian Jaya (Indonesia).
Key facts
- Date
- Feb 17, 1996, 5:59 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake and landslide
- Magnitude
- M8.2
- Depth
- 33 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 7.70 m
- Deaths
- 164
- Injuries
- 432
- Houses destroyed
- 5,043
- Damage
- US$ 4.2 million
- Observation records
- 116
- Countries affected
- 6
It was triggered by a magnitude 8.2 earthquake at a depth of 33 km.
The highest documented water height was 7.70 m (Farusi, Wardo, Biak Island, Indonesia).
116 observation sites in 6 countries are recorded.
Outside the source country, the earliest documented arrival was at Ishigakiko (Japan) after 13:00 h.
The database records 164 deaths.
Houses destroyed: 5,043.
Damage is estimated at US$ 4.2 million.
Map of observation sites
116Each 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) · Feb 17, 1996, 5:59 AM UTC
- 13:00 hJapan · Ishigakiko · 0.15 m
- 14:52 hCanada · Winter Harbor, British Columbia · 0.08 m
34 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 44 | 7.70 m Farusi, Wardo, Biak Island | 71 | — |
 Japan | 51 | 1.04 m Chichijima Island | — | 13:00 h |
 United States | 12 | 0.35 m Shemya Island, Ak | — | — |
 Taiwan | 2 | 0.28 m Changkang (Taitung) | — | — |
 Canada | 6 | 0.18 m Port Alberni, British Columbia | — | 14:52 h |
| USA Territory | 1 | 0.03 m Apra Harbor, Guam | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 116Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farusi, Wardo, Biak Island · Papua | 7.70 m | 130 km | Indonesia |
| Mardri, Biak Island · Papua | 7.68 m | 130 km | Indonesia |
| Sarmi, Biak, Irian Jaya · Papua | 7.00 m | 224 km | Indonesia |
| Yapen Island, Irian Jaya · Papua | 7.00 m | 173 km | Indonesia |
| Korim, Biak Island · Papua | 5.35 m | 102 km | Indonesia |
| Warsa, Biak Island · Papua | 4.37 m | 115 km | Indonesia |
| Wari, Biak Island · Papua | 4.32 m | 102 km | Indonesia |
| Mamoribo, Biak Island · Papua | 4.17 m | 129 km | Indonesia |
| Manokwari · West Papua | 4.00 m | 319 km | Indonesia |
| Marodori, Biak Island · Papua | 3.78 m | 130 km | Indonesia |
| Suambesi, Biak Island · Papua | 3.35 m | 116 km | Indonesia |
| Sauri, Biak Island · Papua | 3.16 m | 75 km | Indonesia |
| Mansoben, Biak Island · Papua | 3.08 m | 133 km | Indonesia |
| Wayesi, Biak Island · Papua | 2.98 m | 134 km | Indonesia |
| Pai Island · Papua | 2.92 m | 68 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.