Since 1992, tsunamis have claimed over 300,000 lives worldwide. While tsunamis are rare, they can strike year-round and during any time of the day or night. Because of the increased development of coastlines and a lack of knowledge about tsunamis, thousands of residents and tourists are at risk.
1946
The tsunami of 1946 was generated by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in the Aleutian Islands. This tsunami struck the Big Island of Hawaii on April 1st. The tsunami flooded the downtown area of Hilo killing 159 people and causing more than $26 million in damages.
April 1, 1946 tsunami. Damage in Hilo, Hawai'i.
(Image: Pacific Tsunami Museum Archives).
1952
On November 4, 1952 a tsunami was generated by a magnitude 8.2 earthquake on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the USSR. In Hawaii, property damage from these waves was estimated at $800,000-$1,000,000 (1952 dollars); no lives were lost. The waves beached boats, caused houses to collide, destroyed piers, scoured beaches, and moved road pavement.
November 4, 1952 tsunami. Aerial view of Kaika Bay near Haleiwa on the
north shore of Oahu shows the fourth wave climbing up the beach toward the
beach houses and the extent of inundation from previous waves.
(Image: National Geophysical Data Center).
Top1957
On March 9, 1957 a tsunami was generated by a magnitude 8.3 earthquake in the Aleutian Islands. It generated a 8-m (24 feet) tsunami that did great damage on Adak Island, especially to the fuel and oil docks. The Hawaiian Islands incurred about $5,000,000 of damage in 1957 dollars. The highest wave in Hawaii was 3.6 m (12 feet).
March 9, 1957 tsunami. Arrival of a major wave at Laie Point on the
Island of Oahu. (Image: National Geophysical Data Center).
1960
The tsunami of May 23, 1960 was generated by a magnitude 8.3 earthquake in Chile. The 35 foot tsunami struck Hilo, Hawaii causing severe damage. 61 deaths were recorded and $23 million in damage occurred. In the area of maximum destruction, only buildings of reinforced concrete or structural steel, and a few others sheltered by these buildings, remained standing - and even these were generally gutted. Frame buildings were either crushed or floated nearly to the limits of the flooding.
May 23, 1960 tsunami. Damage behind the Hilo Theater.
(Image: Pacific Tsunami Museum Archives).
1975
On November 29, 1975, an earthquake occurred off the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. When the quake-generated tsunami struck, 32 campers were at Halape Beach Park. The sound of falling rocks from a nearby cliff, along with earth movement caused the campers to flee toward the ocean. They were then forced back to the cliff by rising ocean waters. The first wave was 5 feet high, but the second wave was 26 feet high and carried the unfortunate campers into a ditch near the base of the cliff, where they remained until the ordeal ended. Two campers died and 19 suffered injuries.
November 29, 1975 locally generated tsunami. Damage at Punalu'u,
on the Big Island of Hawai'i. (Image: Pacific Tsunami Museum Archives).
Tsunami