May 23, 1847 Tsunami: Central Peru

Name: May 23, 1847 Tsunami: Central Peru
Start: 1847-05-23
Location: Central Peru

May 23, 1847 · 2 m · Questionable tsunami

A tsunami caused by an earthquake began at Central Peru on May 23, 1847. The water rose as high as 2 meters. 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

Tsunami warnings in force

The tsunami

Date: May 23, 1847
Source: Central Peru
Cause: Earthquake
Earthquake: The earthquake
Maximum water height: 2 m (6.6 ft)
Runups recorded: 1
Tsunami intensity (Soloviev-Imamura): 1.5
Tsunami magnitude (Iida): 1
Waters: Ocean
How certain: Questionable tsunami
Source location: 12.100° S, 77.100° W

The toll

Damage: Limited (under about $1 million)

Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

1847, May 23, 3:00 [local time], 12.1 S, 77.1 W., tsunami intensity 1.5. A strong seaquake was felt by the American frigate "Akuehet" 110 km (60 miles) west southwest of San Lorenzo Island. On the same day, strong and unusual movement of water was observed at Callao, where this happens rarely. Three Peruvian ships supposedly sank, despite the prompt and energetic help from English and French sailors. The movement of water continued for many hours. (reference #415)

1847, May 24, 5 h Morning. Violent subterranean shock felt by the American frigate Acushuett, has 60 miles to roso. of the San-Lorenzo island. The same day, a violent and extraordinary movement of the port of Callo (sic Callao?). This phenomenon is rare. This movement lasted several hours. (reference #1532)

May 24, 1847, 12, S 78 W, tsunami observation at Callao, Peru. Unusual motion of water in harbor Report by Rudolph not supported by the British Association report he cites not by any other author. (reference #79)

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
Callao	Peru	8	2		Eyewitness observation of water height

Every tsunami in 1847 The 1800s Tsunamis of Peru The earthquake This day in weather history Alerts 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 751.