Historical tsunamis · Dec 7, 2023, 12:56 PM UTC
2023 Vanuatu Islands tsunami
Vanuatu
The tsunami of Dec 7, 2023, 12:56 PM UTC originated near Vanuatu Islands (Vanuatu).
Key facts
- Date
- Dec 7, 2023, 12:56 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.1
- Depth
- 48 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 0.08 m
- Observation records
- 3
- Countries affected
- 2
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake at a depth of 48 km.
The highest documented water height was 0.08 m (Lenakel, Tanna, Vanuatu).
3 observation sites in 2 countries are recorded.
Map of observation sites
3Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanuatu | 2 | 0.08 m Lenakel, Tanna | — | — |
 New Caledonia | 1 | 0.04 m Mare Island | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
3 / 3Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenakel, Tanna | 0.08 m | 125 km | Vanuatu |
| Mare Island | 0.04 m | 170 km | New Caledonia |
| Port Vila, Efate Island | 0.03 m | 335 km | Vanuatu |
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.