January 18, 1830 Tsunami: W. Luzon Island, Philippines

Reference #414:

1830, January 18, 17:15 [local time]. There was an earthquake at Manila and the surrounding provinces. A resident of the capital was standing at a window before the earthquake. The oscillations were slight at first, then quickly intensified, and the eyewitness, frightened, went downstairs to the garden, which led to the river; it was very difficult to move. Reaching the river bank, he was obliged to run back, since the water was rapidly surging on shore, rising a metre (several feet). However, the water just as rapidly receded, but surged onto the opposite shore with a noise like peals of thunder, and then gradually retreated. All this lasted no more than a minute... [Most likely, these were seiches in Manila Bay.] Classified as erroneous reference to a tsunami which has entered the scientific literature.

Reference #79:

1830, January 18, near Manila. Tsunami observed Luzon, Manila. Saderra quotes Perrey to the effect that the water int he river rose. Perhaps same event as that reported in 1828 Nov. 9, and in any case probably not a tsunami.

Reference #10958:

At 5:15 PM on January 18, 1830, an earthquake was felt in Manila. An account told of a man who lived in one of the houses beside the river (probably Pasig River) and who hurried downstairs during the earthquake and was met by water rushing up the steps. The water also swished back to the other side of the bank with a loud noise (Singapore Chronicle, March 25, 1830?; Ferussac, ---?; Perrey, 1860; Maso, 1895, 1927; Milne, 1912; Repetti, 1946; Iida et al, 1967; Berninghausen, 1969; Soloviev, 1970?; Nakamura, 1978). Iida et al (1967) thought that this was probably the same as the November 9, 1828 earthquake. This was probably a river seiche rather than a tsunami.

Reference #12345:

Listed as validity 2 (questionable tsunami) with an earthquake source. (accessed August 2024)