Historical tsunamis · Feb 5, 1783, 12:00 PM UTC
1783 Tyrrhenian Calabria tsunami
Italy
The tsunami of Feb 5, 1783, 12:00 PM UTC originated near Tyrrhenian Calabria (Italy).
Key facts
- Date
- Feb 5, 1783, 12:00 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M6.9
- Depth
- 13 km
- Maximum documented water height
- —
- Deaths
- 30,000
- Houses destroyed
- very many (over 1,000)
- Damage
- extreme (over US$ 25 million)
- Observation records
- 9
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake at a depth of 13 km.
9 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 30,000 deaths.
Houses destroyed: very many (over 1,000).
Damage is estimated at extreme (over US$ 25 million).
Map of observation sites
9Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 9 | — | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
9 / 9Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bianco · Calabria | — | 29 km | Italy |
| Catona · Calabria | — | 32 km | Italy |
| Messina, Sicily · Sicily | — | 38 km | Italy |
| Nicotera · Calabria | — | 28 km | Italy |
| Reggio Calabria · Calabria | — | 36 km | Italy |
| Roccella Ionica · Calabria | — | 38 km | Italy |
| San Gregorio · Calabria | — | 38 km | Italy |
| Scilla · Calabria | — | 23 km | Italy |
| Torre del Faro · Messina | — | 28 km | Italy |
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.