May 23, 1864 Earthquake: Manokwari, Irian Jaya, Indonesia

Reference #414:

1864, May (mistakenly June), on the night of the 22nd-23rd, about 00:30 [local time]. There was an earthquake, lasting at least 3 minutes, in the region of Irian Bay. The shocks were so strong in the Dore district that most of the huts of local residents on shore were overturned at the Mausinam mission in the Manokwari region. A roar, like peals of thunder, accompanied the shocks. Huge collapses and landslides occurred in the mountains. At dawn, it could be seen that many mountain slopes had been completely denuded of vegetation and soil cover. The ground subsided at many places. Three shocks were noticed at Amberbaken. The earthquake must have been especially strong on Superiori Island. Immediately after the earthquake, the sea at Mausinam rose three times to a height of 2.5 to 3 m above its usual level and washed away all the local settlements on shore; 250 people died. The shocks accompanied by a rumble, continued at short intervals, right up to the 24th. After the 25th the shocks resumed but with lesser force.

Reference #1055:

1864, May 21. New Guinea, Dorei, Mt. Arfaks. 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 #1188:

1864, May 23. Intensity VI-VII. Arfak: Irian Jaya - the destructive earthquake caused houses on Mount Arfak to be set ablaze and some were buried. 250 people killed.