February 16, 1861 Earthquake: Lagundi, Simuk, Tello I, Indonesia

Reference #414:

1861, February 16 about 19:00 [Local Time]. There was an earthquake of exceptional strength and great duration, accompanied by a tsunami, on the entire western coast of Sumatra. It was catastrophic on the Batu Islands. A large number of homes in the districts of Mandeling (vicinity of Pendjabunga) and Angkola; fields were made havoc of; colossal avalanches buried villages; Sialang was so buried that not a trace remained of it. At Singkel, most of the homes, in particular the barracks, were left unsuitable for further use; the ground cracked. On Nias Island, the earthquake was even stronger than everywhere else. At Fort Laundi, the soldiers were bowled over. The same occurred at Gunungsitoli. On the north, the earthquake spread to Atjeh, where it caused considerable destruction and human victims. No less damage was done by the earthquake at Batak. It was felt at Dacca and caused seiches in ponds on the east of India. An unusual trembling of level, ascribed to this earthquake was noted at the Pulkovo astronomical observatory during observations of February 16, 1861.

The earthquake was accompanied by an enormous number of aftershocks.

Reference #1188:

1861, February 16. Intensity VIII-IX. Tapanuli and Sibolga: Numerous houses tumbled down. Tsunami was observed at Singkil, Nias and Tello.

Lagundi, intensity VIII. The shocks lasted for 3 minutes. A tsunami was generated and 50 people were killed.

Gunung Sitoli, intensity VII. Strong quakes were felt. A

tsunami was also generated. Several houses damaged.

Batu Island, intensity VII. A part of the island sank.

Simuk, intensity VII. Earthquake caused severe

damage 96 out of 120 people's houses damaged, 675 out of

1045 people killed.

Tello Island, intensity VII. Severe shocks lasted about 5 minutes and weak shocks lasted for almost a whole night. Tsunamis were generated 4 times.

Reference #1185:

1861, February 16. Penang. The earthquake was sufficient to throw crockery off shelves, stop clock, etc. There were three shocks, each lasting about thirty seconds, motion from north to south. five minutes before the shock there was unusual commotion in the sea. Sky was clear and no wind.

Reference #1055:

1861, Feb 16. SW Sumatra, Padang (Acheen), Batu Island, Nias Island; sea waves. Intensity III which corresponds to an earthquake which destroyed towns and devastated districts.

Reference #11528:

The earthquake was most strongly manifest in Nias Island, and the area between the Batu Islands to the north and Bengkulu to the south. The shaking lasted for 4 minutes around Nias Island and the immediately adjacent parts of theS umatran coastline, as noted in Sibolga, Natal and Tapanuli where numerous buildings collapsed. The duration of shaking and damage from shaking was less to the north and south of this region. Shaking lusted for 1 minute in Bengkulu. The shaking in Singapore lasted for about 2 minutes and was in a SW-NE direction. On the west coast of Nias, coral reefs were uplifted