October 20, 1859 Earthquake: S. Java Sea, Indonesia

Name: October 20, 1859 Earthquake: S. Java Sea, Indonesia
Start: 1859-10-20
Location: S. Java Sea, Indonesia

October 20, 1859 · 2 deaths

An earthquake struck S. Java Sea, Indonesia on October 20, 1859. It killed 2 people, counting the tsunami it caused.

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: October 20, 1859
Place: S. Java Sea, Indonesia
Tsunami: Yes: the tsunami it caused
Epicenter: 9.000° S, 111.000° E
Country: Indonesia

The toll

Deaths: 2 with its tsunami and other effects
Damage: Limited (under about $1 million) with its tsunami and other effects

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.

On October 20, 1859 at 17;340 [local time] there was a strong underground shock, accompanied by a tsunami, at Patjitan (Java Island). The wave arrived precisely when the "Ottolina," which was riding in the roadstead, was getting ready to cast anchor. A sloop, loaded with anchor and chain, sank; of the crew of thirteen, 11 were saved. (reference #414)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

Significant earthquakes of 1859 The 1800s Recent earthquakes near here This 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 6137.