Tsunamis in 1727

July 4, 1727 Tsunami: Sicily Channel, Italy

July 4, 1727 · Questionable tsunami

A tsunami caused by a magnitude 5.2 earthquake began at Sicily Channel, Italy on July 4, 1727. Its effects were recorded at 1 place.

Where the waves reached

The source (white) and every runup with a place, colored by the water height recorded there. A ring is a runup NCEI marks doubtful.

  • Under 1 m
  • 1 to 3 m
  • 3 to 10 m
  • 10 to 30 m
  • 30 m and more
  • Height not recorded

Tsunami warnings in force

The tsunami

Date
July 4, 1727
Source
Sicily Channel, Italy
Cause
Earthquake
Earthquake
Magnitude 5.2
Runups recorded
1
Tsunami intensity (Soloviev-Imamura)
3
Waters
Ocean
How certain
Questionable tsunami
Source location
37.500° N, 13.000° E

The toll

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

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

1727, July 4. Calabrian Arc, Island of Sicily, the western shore, Sciacca. 37.5 N, 13 E, earthquake intensity V, tsunami intensity 3 reliabiltiy 2. A strong underground shock, which was preceded by a boom, shook all the buildings in the town of Sciacca at 11h15m on May 8. A long intensive seismic period set in which was completed by the August 9, 1727 earthquake (according to other data it was in October 1727) with its focus, probably, located in the sea in the vicinity of Sciacca. The July 4 strong shock resulted in the sea receding from the coast [Caputo and Faita, 19084]. (reference #2130).

Strong earthquake in south-western Sicily next to Sciacca. Sea withdrawal at Sciacca (Savasta, r404).

Further references: Mongitore (r46), Mallet (r33), Baratta (r1), De Panfilis (r117), Carrozzo (r41), Caputo (r5), Soloviev (r414- r582), Tinti (r9, r597). (referenc e#4139)

Every runup

Nearest the source first. Heights are above sea level at the time; a tide gauge reads half the wave’s full height.

WhereCountryKm from sourceWater height, mInland, mMeasured byFirst wave, UTCDeaths
SciaccaItalyEyewitness observation of water height

More

Every tsunami in 1727The 1700sTsunamis of ItalyThe earthquakeThis day in weather historyAlerts in force

Sources

Tsunami events and runups 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 tsunami event 3157.