Historical tsunamis · Aug 21, 1986
1986 Lake Nyos tsunami
Cameroon
The tsunami of Aug 21, 1986 originated near Lake Nyos (Cameroon).
Key facts
- Date
- Aug 21, 1986
- Cause
- Volcanic eruption
- Maximum documented water height
- 75.0 m
- Deaths
- 1,700
- Injuries
- 300
- Observation records
- 1
- Countries affected
- 1
Cause according to NOAA/NCEI: Volcanic eruption.
The highest documented water height was 75.0 m (Lake Nyos, Cameroon).
1 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 1,700 deaths.
Map of observation sites
1Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | 1 | 75.0 m Lake Nyos | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
1 / 1Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Nyos | 75.00 m | 30 km | Cameroon |
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.