Historical tsunamis · May 27, 2003, 5:11 PM UTC
2003 Algiers tsunami
Algeria
The tsunami of May 27, 2003, 5:11 PM UTC originated near Algiers (Algeria).
Key facts
- Date
- May 27, 2003, 5:11 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M5.7
- Depth
- 8 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 0.08 m
- Deaths
- 9
- Injuries
- 200
- Houses destroyed
- many (about 101–1,000)
- Damage
- moderate (about US$ 1–5 million)
- Observation records
- 2
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 5.7 earthquake at a depth of 8 km.
The highest documented water height was 0.08 m (Mahon, Menorca Island, Spain).
2 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 9 deaths.
Houses destroyed: many (about 101–1,000).
Damage is estimated at moderate (about US$ 1–5 million).
Map of observation sites
2Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Spain | 2 | 0.08 m Mahon, Menorca Island | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
2 / 2Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahon, Menorca Island | 0.08 m | 333 km | Spain |
| Palma de Mallorca, Majorca Island | 0.08 m | 301 km | Spain |
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.