October 19, 1847 Tsunami: Central Chile
A tsunami caused by an earthquake began at Central Chile on October 19, 1847. 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
The tsunami
- Date
- October 19, 1847
- Source
- Central Chile
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake
- The earthquake
- Runups recorded
- 1
- Waters
- Ocean
- How certain
- Questionable tsunami
- Source location
- 31.610° S, 71.180° W
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.
Reference #415
1847, October 19. On the 8th at 11:10, there was a strong and prolonged (2 minute) earthquake at Coquimbo. It was felt as far as Valparaiso, Santiago and Mendosa. In Coquimbo there were many recurrent shocks, including the shock of October 19, causing a heavy surf. The population was frightened. [It is possible that the date is not exact and that the description refers to the events of November 17, 1849.]
Note: According to the numbers and associated years of publication of the El Araucano, newspaper, Santiago, Chile, quoted in Reference #3843, the October 19, 1847 is a valid date.
Reference #3843
1847, October 19. October 8 to 18. Letter from Luis Troncoso to Ignacio Domeyko. Strong and continuous tremor 128 seconds (clock in sight), tremulous movement. Felt in Santiago at 9 o'clock. More than 1 minute. At 09:58 in Valparaiso. Felt in Mendoza.
Oct 19 - The strong revenge of the sea caused fright.
Every runup
Nearest the source first. Heights are above sea level at the time; a tide gauge reads half the wave’s full height.
| Where | Country | Km from source | Water height, m | Inland, m | Measured by | First wave, UTC | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coquimbo | Chile | 185 | Eyewitness observation of water height |
More
Every tsunami in 1847The 1800sTsunamis of ChileThe 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 756.