September 11, 1921 Earthquake: S of Java, Indonesia
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck S of Java, Indonesia on September 11, 1921 at 04:01:38 UTC. 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
- September 11, 1921
- Time
- 04:01:38 UTC
- Place
- S of Java, Indonesia
- Magnitude
- 7.5 (Ms)
- Tsunami
- Yes: the tsunami it caused
- Epicenter
- 11.000° S, 111.000° E
- Country
- Indonesia
The toll
- Damage
- Limited (under about $1 million)
Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.
What the record says
NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.
Reference #414:
1921, September 11, 11:00 [local time]. There was a strong earthquake with source south of Java Island. It was felt from Krui (Sumatra Island) on the west to Taliwang (Sumbawa Island) on the east. A seaquake was felt at 8 deg 41 min S., 112 deg E. The earthquake occurred with greatest force, equal to 5 degrees (VI - Rossi-Forel) on the south Coast of Java Island from Tjilatjap to Wlingi; here several walls collapsed or cracked. The tremors lasted, according to different estimates, from 1 to 4 minutes. There were many aftershocks. A small tsunami arose. It was noted at Parang Tritis and was registered by the tide gauge at Tjilatjap, beginning at 12:15 with a maximal amplitude of 10 cm.
Gutenberg, Richter (1954): 11.IX; 4h01m38s; 11o S., 111o E.; M=7.5.
Reference #88:
September 11, 1901, 11 S, 111 E, shallow depth, magnitude 7.5.
Other significant earthquakes nearby
Within 200 km, the deadliest first.
More
Significant earthquakes of 1921The 1900sEvery quake the USGS located in 1921Recent 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 3175.