1814 Earthquake: Timor Island, Kupang, Kissar Island, Indonesia
An earthquake struck Timor Island, Kupang, Kissar Island, Indonesia in 1814. It caused a tsunami.
Map
Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.
The earthquake
- Date
- 1814
- Place
- Timor Island, Kupang, Kissar Island, Indonesia
- Tsunami
- Yes: the tsunami it caused
- Epicenter
- 10.217° S, 123.633° E
- Country
- Indonesia
The toll
- Damage
- Severe (about $5 to $25 million)
Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.
What the record says
NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.
1814, no date. At Kupang (Timor Island), there was an earthquake which immediately generated a tidal wave, which burst into Kupang Ray. There was also an eruption of a mud volcano, as a result of which the Pulu Burung Bank off the north shore of the bay turned into a small island. A destructive earthquake apparently occurred simultaneously on Kissar Island. (reference #414)
Other significant earthquakes nearby
Within 200 km, the deadliest first.
More
Significant earthquakes of 1814The 1800sRecent earthquakes near here
Sources
Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 6068.