August 17, 1863 Earthquake: Vanuatu Islands

Reference #414:

1863, August 17. There was a weak underground shock which passed almost unnoticed, at Noumea (Port de France) in New Caledonia on the 15th at 19:30. There was a more perceptible shock on the 17th at 20:00. It considerably disturbed the instruments at the astronomical observatory. The cross lines of the tubes of the transit instrument after the shock experienced spasmodic oscillations which were larger north-south than east-west.

Then came news that the shocks may have been connected with an eruption of the volcano on Tanna Island. The news was delivered to the Vagap post office by a small English schooner, which had been situated near the volcano at the time of the eruptions. According to the captain, lava covered half the island, causing numerous victims among the population.

Another schooner, the "Ariel," which had been situated off neighboring Eromanga Island, brought a report on passing Port de France on August 26 that the shock of August 17 was felt on Eromanga Island with great force and was accompanied by an unusual movement of the sea. A large wave made the schooner "dance" on its anchors, putting it in extreme danger. This wave must have done great damage on land, but the captain could not give any information about this, since they did not land. At this time, there were no Europeans on the New Hebrides, and no written reports could be received from the islands about the earthquake and volcano eruption.

According to the director of the astronomic observatory at Port de France, the earthquake of August 17 on New Caledonia was felt most strongly at Kanala and Vagap. No oscillations in sea level were noticed on the coast of New Caledonia.