Significant earthquakes of 1891

May 19, 1891 Earthquake: Sigli, Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia

May 19, 1891

An earthquake struck Sigli, Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia on May 19, 1891. It caused a tsunami.

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
May 19, 1891
Place
Sigli, Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia
Epicenter
5.400° N, 96.000° E
Country
Indonesia

The toll

The record gives no deaths, injuries or damage for this earthquake.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

1891, May 19, 1:09 [local time]. Sigli (North of Sumatra Island). There was a very brief shock, followed by another, much stronger shock. The tremors, lasting a total of 5 seconds, were preceded by a comparatively strong sea surf. [Most likely not a tsunami.] (reference #414)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1891The 1800sRecent earthquakes near hereThis 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 9896.