1809 Tsunami: Guam, Mariana Islands, US Territories

1809. Validity 1. A violent earthquake occurred. Ships at sea experienced shocks near Guam... Major earthquakes were reported in 1809, 1822, 1825, 1834, 1837, (Degraz, 1838)... Degraz (1838) reported that in the month of October 1837, an extraordinary movement of the sea was experienced. A type of tempest disturbed it and it flooded raised portions of the banks, caused landslides and considerable damage... He also reported similar movements for the 1809 and 1825 events where some ships experienced violent shocks near Guam. (reference #482)

The years 1809, 1822, 1825, and 1834 were especially remarkable for the vlolence of the quakes... in the month of October 1837, without knowing the exact date, extraordinary movement was experienced at sea. A type of tempest disturbed it, it flooded various portions raised from the banks, caused landslides and considerable damage at different points. In 1809 and 1825, similar movements occurred and also were occasions by some landslides. At the same time, some ships experienced some very violent shocks in the neighborhood of Guam. These quakes coincided with the eruptions of the volcanoes from Ascension and Lazan and it was remarked also that the movement seemed to come from the northeast. (reference #2499)