December 29, 1820 Earthquake: Makasar, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Ref #414:

1820 (incorrectly 1821), December 29, 10:00 [local time]. There was a strong earthquake lasting 2.5 minutes at Makassar. It was also felt at other places on the southwest of Sulawesi Island.

The earthquake was followed by a tidal wave, which was then repeated. The tsunami was strongest on the coast from Bonthain on the west to Bulukumba on the east; here many coastal settlements were destroyed and many people died.

There is a detailed description of these events at Bulukumba. The earthquake began with weak, but gradually intensifying tremors. The house of the fort commander rocked in every direction. The guns on the bastion jumped from their carriages. The earthquake lasted 4-5 minutes, when, it seemed a cannon shot pealed out from the west. A sloop sent to reconnoiter had not had time to return with the report that were no ships on the horizon, when a water wall 20-25 m high arrived with a whistling and at the same time thunderous roar and inundated everything. Surging 300-400 m inland, the water destroyed the barracks of the fort and the villages of Nipanipa and Terangterang. Four to five hundred people drowned, including three Europeans. Ships off the coast were tossed in to the rice fields. The oscillations in level recurred several times, and the water retreated several kilometers from shore during the ebbs.

A strong earthquake lasting 2 minutes, accompanied by a loud rumble, was felt at Bima. It was followed by a tsunami which tossed ships riding at anchor in the harbor far inland; some ships were even tossed over rooftops by the waves.

The earthquake was also felt on Palu Island in the Flores Sea.

A strong earthquake lasting 1 minute was felt at Sumenep. A rather strong tsunami was also observed here at 15:00.

Ref #40:

1820, December 29. Indonesia, Celebes, Makasar (5o07'S, 119o24'E). Epicenter off Bima on Sumbawa.

Ref #497:

1820, December 29. Island of Celebes. A severe shock. The sea rose several times to an unusual height and carried away many houses. Many hundred people lost their lives.

Ref #11528:

the strongest ground motion (>1g, cannons hopping) and the longest time of shaking (4-5 min)are recorded from Bulukomba, which is only 20 km from the fault [...]The earthquake 'violently' shook Flores and Sumbawa for 2 min, and was felt as far west as Madura (800 km from Belekomba)