November 1, 1835 Earthquake: Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia
An earthquake struck Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia on November 1, 1835.
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
- November 1, 1835
- Place
- Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia
- Intensity
- 9 on the Modified Mercalli scale
- Tsunami
- None recorded
- Volcano
- The eruption it came with
- Epicenter
- 3.700° S, 128.200° E
- Country
- Indonesia
The toll
- Deaths
- Many (about 101 to 1,000) with its tsunami and other effects
- Injuries
- 60
- Damage
- Moderate (about $1 to $5 million)
- Houses destroyed
- Some (about 51 to 100)
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.
1835, November 1, intensity VII-IX. Ambon: Maluku - a large earthquake occurred and caused some buildings to collapse; 60 people injured; landslides in the hills were observed. (reference #1188)
1835, November 1. In the Moluccas islands. A violent and destructive earthquake. In Amboyna the single shock on this day lasted 35 secs. It was the most violent, but other shocks were felt on the 4th. Preceded for three weeks by a heavy sulphurous fog. A volcanic eruption at the same time at Gunong Api in the island of Banda. Buildings were ruined and many persons lost their lives. (reference #497)
Other significant earthquakes nearby
Within 200 km, the deadliest first.
- September 29, 1899, Banda Sea, Indonesia
- February 17, 1674, Ambon Island, Seram Island, Indonesia
- September 25, 2019, Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia
- August 18, 1754, Ambon Island, Indonesia
- March 14, 2006, Seram, Indonesia
- November 12, 2019, Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia
- September 5, 1711, Banda Sea, Indonesia
- October 10, 2019, Passo, Indonesia
- October 8, 1950, Seram, Indonesia
- October 31, 2017, Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia
- January 16, 2016, Buru, Ambalau Island, Maluku, Indonesia
- May 6, 1674, Banda Sea, Indonesia
- April 18, 1775, Banda Sea, Indonesia
- August 1802, Banda Sea, Indonesia
- November 19, 1852, Ambon Island, Indonesia
More
Significant earthquakes of 1835The 1800sRecent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history
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 1787.