Historical tsunamis · Jan 7, 2020, 8:24 AM UTC
2020 Puerto Rico tsunami
USA Territory
The tsunami of Jan 7, 2020, 8:24 AM UTC originated near Puerto Rico (USA Territory).
Key facts
- Date
- Jan 7, 2020, 8:24 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M6.4
- Depth
- 6 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 0.06 m
- Deaths
- 4
- Injuries
- few (up to about 50)
- Houses destroyed
- 300
- Damage
- US$ 800 million
- Observation records
- 6
- Countries affected
- 2
It was triggered by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake at a depth of 6 km.
The highest documented water height was 0.06 m (Esperanza, Vieques Island, USA Territory).
6 observation sites in 2 countries are recorded.
Outside the source country, the earliest documented arrival was at Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) after 0:41 h.
The database records 4 deaths.
Houses destroyed: 300.
Damage is estimated at US$ 800 million.
Map of observation sites
6Each 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) · Jan 7, 2020, 8:24 AM UTC
- 0:18 hUSA Territory · Isla de Magueyes · 0.02 m
- 0:41 hDominican Republic · Punta Cana · 0.04 m
6 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA Territory | 5 | 0.06 m Esperanza, Vieques Island | — | 0:18 h |
 Dominican Republic | 1 | 0.04 m Punta Cana | — | 0:41 h |
Highest documented water heights
6 / 6Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esperanza, Vieques Island · Pr | 0.06 m | 143 km | USA Territory |
| Mona Island · Pr | 0.05 m | 120 km | USA Territory |
| Punta Cana | 0.04 m | 176 km | Dominican Republic |
| Isla de Magueyes · Pr | 0.02 m | 25 km | USA Territory |
| St. Croix: Christiansted · Vi | 0.02 m | 225 km | USA Territory |
| St. John: Lameshur Bay · Vi | 0.02 m | 224 km | USA Territory |
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.