Historical tsunamis · Nov 18, 1865
1865 Tonga Islands tsunami
Tonga
The tsunami of Nov 18, 1865 originated near Tonga Islands (Tonga).
Key facts
- Date
- Nov 18, 1865
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M8.0
- Maximum documented water height
- 1.25 m
- Houses destroyed
- 20
- Damage
- limited (under US$ 1 million)
- Observation records
- 4
- Countries affected
- 3
It was triggered by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake.
The highest documented water height was 1.25 m (Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands).
4 observation sites in 3 countries are recorded.
Houses destroyed: 20.
Damage is estimated at limited (under US$ 1 million).
Map of observation sites
4Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cook Islands | 1 | 1.25 m Avarua, Rarotonga | — | — |
 French Polynesia | 1 | 0.80 m Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands | — | — |
| Tonga | 2 | — | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
4 / 4Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avarua, Rarotonga | 1.25 m | 1,445 km | Cook Islands |
| Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands · Marquesas Islands | 0.80 m | 3,783 km | French Polynesia |
| Eua | — | 255 km | Tonga |
| Tau Island | — | 230 km | Tonga |
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.