January 5, 1843 Earthquake: SW. Sumatra, Indonesia

Reference #414:

January 5, 1843, 23:30-24:00, 1.5 N, 98 E, depth 70 km, magnitude 7.25, tsunami intensity 2. There was a destructive earthquake on Nias Island and adjacent areas of the coast of Sumatra Island. The oscillations, weak at first, rapidly intensified and lasted 9 minutes. Recurrent shocks continued almost without interruption until 4:30 on the 6th. Less frequent shocks were felt for many days. The fortifications and other stone structures on the hill near Gunungsitoli were almost completely destroyed. Trees were ripped up and broken; the ground cracked and mud flowed from the crevices. The earthquake apparently spread to Singapore and Penang Island. Before the earthquake, the sea off Nias Island was absolutely calm. Suddenly, at 0:30, a terrible wave advanced from the southeast with a terrifying noise. It affected the entire coast of the island and destroyed everything in its path. The large settlement of Kampong de Mego 2 km (1 mile) from Gunungsitoli, was completely washed away. The proas on the river were tossed on land 30-50 m (100-160 feet) from their moorage.

Reference #1188:

January 5, 1843. Gunung Sitoli and Baras: Nias Island - a strong earthquake struck Gunungsitoli and Baras. The shock was followed by a tsunami, causing damage to some boats. Ground-slump was observed too.

Reference #1185:

January 6, 1843, 00:30 hr, Penang, Singapore. Slight, but extremely severely felt at Pulo Nias, off the coast of Sumatra, where there were two shocks accompanied by a sea wave (tsunami).

Reference #1055:

January 5-6, 1843. Sumatra, S.E. coast of Garos and Island of Nias; sea waves. Intensity II which corresponds to buildings may be unroofed or shattered and some may fall, the ground may be badly cracked in places and small landslips occur.

Reference #2771:

January 5-6, 1843, Mw 7.2. The earthquake caused severe damage, liquefaction and many fatalities in Nias Is. A tremendous tsunami wiped out towns on the east coast of Nias and mainland. The damage and associated tsunami were very localized. The village of Barus (2N 98.38E) and Palan Nias (Nias Is. 1.1N 97.55E) reported large waves on two days.

Reference #12987:The intensity of the Earthquake, however great in Pulo Nias, would appear to have diminished much at a short distance from it, since no notice of its effects on the adjoining coast of Sumatra is given, and from the silence of the writer of the above account, we are led to infer that the shock if felt at all at Padang, was there very slight.