January 5, 1843 Tsunami: SW. Sumatra, Indonesia

Reference #414:

January 5, 1843, 23:30-24:00, 1.5 N, 98 E, depth 70 km, magnitude 7.25, tsunami intensity 2. There was a destructive earthquake on Nias Island and adjacent areas of the coast of Sumatra Island. The oscillations, weak at first, rapidly intensified and lasted 9 minutes. Recurrent shocks continued almost without interruption until 4:30 on the 6th. Less frequent shocks were felt for many days, The fortifications and other stone structures on the hill near Gunungsitoli were almost completely destroyed. Trees were ripped up and broken; the ground cracked and mud flowed from the crevices. The earthquake apparently spread to Singapore and Penang Island.

Before the earthquake, the sea off Nias Island was absolutely calm. Suddenly, at 0:30, a terrible wave advanced from the southeast with a terrifying noise. It affected the entire coast of the island and destroyed everything in its path. The large settlement of Kampong de Mego 2 km (1 mile) from Gunungsitoli, was completely washed away. The proas on the river were tossed on land 30-50 m (100-160 feet) from their moorage.

At about the same time, a somewhat less terrible wave, with a noise like a hurricane, advanced on Barus from the southwest. Three ships were later found on land 600 m (1900 feet) from their anchorage.

Reference #42:

January 5 and 6, 1843. Sumatra. The village of Barus (2 deg 00 min N., 98 deg 23 min E.) and Pulau Nias (Nias Island 1 deg 05 min N., 97 deg 33 min E.) reported large waves on both days.

Reference #132:

Jan. 5 and 6, 1843. Sumatra, southeast coast of Bares and Nias Island. Great sea wave on both days.

Reference #8795:

January 5-6, 1843. The 1843 event caused severe damage on the island of Nias, where many houses were destroyed; buildings sank, suggesting liquefaction of sediments. A tremendous tsunami wiped out towns on the east coast of Nias and reached the main coast. The damage and associated tsunami were very localized.

Reference #2771:

January 5-6, 1843, Mw 7.2. The earthquake caused severe damage, liquefaction and many fatalities in Nias Is. A tremendous tsunami wiped out towns on the east coast of Nias and mainland. The damage and associated tsunami were very localized. The village of Barus (2N 98.38E) and Palan Nias (Nias Is. 1.1N 97.55E) reported large waves on two days.

Reference #2725:

Examination of primary source material (Baird-Smith 1845, Ref#12987), however, suggests that the disturbance in the Malacca Strait at the time of the 1843 earthquake was caused by bad weather