Historical tsunamis · Feb 21, 1996, 12:51 PM UTC

1996 N. Peru tsunami

Peru

The tsunami of Feb 21, 1996, 12:51 PM UTC originated near N. Peru (Peru).

Key facts

Date
Feb 21, 1996, 12:51 PM UTC
Cause
Earthquake
Magnitude
M7.5
Depth
10 km
Maximum documented water height
5.04 m
Deaths
12
Injuries
57
Houses destroyed
15
Damage
limited (under US$ 1 million)
Observation records
58
Countries affected
6

It was triggered by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake at a depth of 10 km.

The highest documented water height was 5.04 m (Culebras I, Bluff, Peru).

58 observation sites in 6 countries are recorded.

Outside the source country, the earliest documented arrival was at Tahauku Bay, Hiva Oa (French Polynesia) after 10:00 h.

The database records 12 deaths.

Houses destroyed: 15.

Damage is estimated at limited (under US$ 1 million).

All tsunamis in PeruRecord at NOAA/NCEI ↗

Map of observation sites

58

Each 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.

  1. 0:00 hEarthquake (origin) · Feb 21, 1996, 12:51 PM UTC
  2. 1:06 hPeru · Chimbote · 1.10 m
  3. 10:00 hFrench Polynesia · Tahauku Bay, Hiva Oa · 2.00 m

2 places with a documented arrival time

Observations by country

CountryObservation recordsMaximum documented water heightDeathsEarliest arrival
Peru465.04 m
Culebras I, Bluff		121:06 h
French Polynesia32.00 m
Tahauku Bay, Hiva Oa		—10:00 h
Chile50.30 m
Easter Island		——
Ecuador10.20 m
Santa Cruz Island		——
United States20.15 m
Kahului, Maui, Hi		——
Mexico10.10 m
Socorro Island		——

Highest documented water heights

15 / 58

Individual documented observations for this event. Heights come from different measurement types and sources; not every location has a measured height.

Location / stationObserved heightDistance from sourceCountry
Culebras I, Bluff · Ancash5.04 m154 kmPeru
Chimbote · Ancash5.00 m121 kmPeru
Port of Chimbote Ii, Pier · Ancash4.89 m122 kmPeru
Coishco I (Wall) · Ancash4.70 m124 kmPeru
Ensenada la Posa Iv · Ancash4.50 m119 kmPeru
Ensenada la Posa Iii · Ancash4.35 m119 kmPeru
Ensenada la Posa I · Ancash4.13 m119 kmPeru
Notch NW of Ens. la Posa · Ancash3.84 m119 kmPeru
La Posa Huanchaco · La Libertad3.76 m174 kmPeru
Ensenada la Posa Ii, Boat Ramp · Ancash3.61 m119 kmPeru
Culebras Ii, Dock · Ancash3.35 m154 kmPeru
Playa Chimus · Ancash3.13 m126 kmPeru
Huanchaco · La Libertad3.10 m175 kmPeru
Rio Santa I · La Libertad3.10 m125 kmPeru
Las Delicias I · La Libertad3.09 m168 kmPeru

More tsunamis in Peru

  • S. Peru Jun 28, 2024, 5:36 AM UTC · 0.20 m
  • S. Peru Jan 14, 2018, 9:18 AM UTC · 0.15 m
  • S. Peru Sep 25, 2013, 4:42 PM UTC · 0.09 m
  • S. Peru Aug 15, 2007, 11:40 PM UTC · 10.0 m
  • S. Peru Jun 23, 2001, 8:33 PM UTC · 8.80 m
  • S. Peru Nov 12, 1996, 4:59 PM UTC · 0.40 m
  • Central Peru Oct 3, 1974, 2:21 PM UTC · 0.92 m
  • Chungar Mar 19, 1971 · 30.0 m

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.