Historical tsunamis · Oct 31, 2017, 12:42 AM UTC

2017 Loyalty Islands tsunami

New Caledonia

The tsunami of Oct 31, 2017, 12:42 AM UTC originated near Loyalty Islands (New Caledonia).

Key facts

Date
Oct 31, 2017, 12:42 AM UTC
Cause
Earthquake
Magnitude
M6.7
Depth
24 km
Maximum documented water height
0.15 m
Observation records
4
Countries affected
2

It was triggered by a magnitude 6.7 earthquake at a depth of 24 km.

The highest documented water height was 0.15 m (Ouinne, New Caledonia).

4 observation sites in 2 countries are recorded.

Map of observation sites

4

Each dot is a documented observation site; colour and size show the observed water height. The triangle marks the source.

Observations by country

CountryObservation recordsMaximum documented water heightDeathsEarliest arrival
New Caledonia30.15 m
Ouinne
——
Vanuatu10.10 m
Lenakel, Tanna
——

Highest documented water heights

4 / 4

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
Ouinne0.15 m257 kmNew Caledonia
Mare Island0.13 m133 kmNew Caledonia
Lenakel, Tanna0.10 m240 kmVanuatu
Lifou Island0.09 m212 kmNew Caledonia

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.