Historical tsunamis · Feb 8, 1843, 2:50 PM UTC
1843 Pointe-A-Pitre tsunami
Guadeloupe
The tsunami of Feb 8, 1843, 2:50 PM UTC originated near Pointe-A-Pitre (Guadeloupe).
Key facts
- Date
- Feb 8, 1843, 2:50 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M8.5
- Depth
- 33 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 1.20 m
- Deaths
- 5,000
- Damage
- extreme (over US$ 25 million)
- Observation records
- 2
- Countries affected
- 2
It was triggered by a magnitude 8.5 earthquake at a depth of 33 km.
The highest documented water height was 1.20 m (Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda).
2 observation sites in 2 countries are recorded.
The database records 5,000 deaths.
Damage is estimated at extreme (over US$ 25 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | 1 | 1.20 m Antigua | — | — |
| Guadeloupe (French Territory) | 1 | — | — | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua | 1.20 m | 84 km | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Pointe-A-Pitre | — | 67 km | Guadeloupe (French 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.