May 6, 1919 Earthquake: Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea

Reference #414:

1919, May 6, 19:41:12 UTC. 5 S, 154 E, magnitude 7.9 (G&R). There was an earthquake and tsunami at Rabaul. The first shock occurred at 5:50 [local time] and preceded a stronger prolonged earthquake (or series of shocks). The earth's surface oscillated in the "most terrifying way", trees swayed, cracks appeared in the ground, and considerable damage was done to structures. Wooden bungalows rocked in every direction; in the barracks, the rifles fell out of their piles; the sleeping soldiers were thrown out of their bunks which collapsed on top of them.

The earthquake was very strong beyond Rabaul on Namanula Mountain. The seat of government was on the peak of this mountain. Two parts of the building, separated by a wide passage, oscillated towards each other so that people on the veranda felt just as if they were being rocked heavily at sea. In all the bungalows, the furniture shifted and many glass and glazed dishes were broken. When the earthquake was over, most of the homes built on the hill presented an unusual spectacle, since their support pillars were inclined to the ground at every possible angle. A heavy 4500-litre tank was shifted like a toy, and the government press building was completely destroyed.

As a result of the earthquake, the submerged dike which connects the Gazelle Peninsula with Matupi Island [Matupit Island] rose 0.5-1 m. The roads suffered considerably. Thus, the excavations through which the road from Rabaul to Namanula passed, were completely filled in at many places by collapses of hills. At other places, stretches of this road which ran along hillsides, themselves slid down into the valleys.

The earthquake was accompanied by an intensification of the activity of the sulfur springs at the foot of the Tawurwur Volcano and on Matupi Island. Greenish vapors from the springs spread over the sea to a height of about 30 m.

Despite the great material damage, there was not a single victim. This is partly explained by the fact that the earthquake occurred when the majority of inhabitants were outside their homes, and partly by the fact that the local huts were constructed on tall columns, that is, they had a primitive, earthquake resistant construction. For almost two weeks after the earthquake, not a day passed without several weak shocks.

After the earthquake, the water at the pier at Rabaul fell 2-2.5 m and rose again quickly.

Reference #9910:

1919, May 6, 19:40:38.07 UTC, 5.477 S, 152.629 E, 7.6 mB ABE1, 7.8 Mw P&S, 7.9 Ms ABE1, 7.7 Ms P&S, 8.1 UK B&D.

Reference #10476:

1919, May 6, 19:41:13.01 UTC. 4.806 S, 153.859 E, depth 35 km, 8.15 Mw.