October 1837 Tsunami: Caroline Islands, Micronesia

Reference #482:

1837, October. Validity 2. 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. This was also a year of a reported major earthquake... The 1837 event caused four of the Caroline Islands to disappear and only parts of two to remain above water level. Survivors emigrated to Guam and settled on Saipan.

Reference #2499:

The two last years 1837 and 1838 experienced only three light trembles of the earth in the archipelago. However, 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. It was at this period of the extraordinary movement of the sea in the month of October 1837 that they placed the unexpected disappearance of four

islands of the Caroline archipelago named Ilato, Satarinal, Lamoucka, and Gouhai; of these four islands, a portion of two still remains over the level the sea; the two others are no more than vast reefs. Following this catastrophe part of the inhabitants of these submerged islands came to look for asylum in the Mariana Islands. The government awarded them a place to live on the island of Saipan where they settled in the approximate number of 60. Mr. Martinez cannot assure us if it was one or several trembles of earth that accompanied the disappearance of these islands. The fact of the submersion appears, however, well known. It was attested to us by several persons present at the conversation.

Reference #414:

1837, October. Validity 2, unknown cause. As a result of a strong storm, the sea flooded several areas of the coast of Guam Island, causing collapses here and there and considerable losses. During this storm in the Caroline Islands, four low lying islands disappeared under water: Elato, Satawal, Lamonia, and Gulay. Subsequently, two of these partially reappeared on the surface, while the other two became banks (Dumoulin, 1840).