November 25, 1852 Tsunami: Banda Sea, Indonesia

Ref #414:

1852, November 26, at 07:40 [local time], 5.25 S, 129.75 E, depth 100 km, magnitude 8.25. On Neira Island, there were strong vertical shocks, which rapidly became undulating oscillations of growing force, which lasted 5 minutes.

At Bandaneria, 1/4 hour after the earthquake, the sea rose and the frightened residents took to the hills. The bay alternately dried up quickly, then filled with water. A ship riding at anchor at a depth of 9 m sat on the bottom twice. According to the account of the captain of the brig "Hai", before the earthquake, the ship was riding at anchor at a depth of 11 m between the islands of Neira and Lonthor; the length of the anchor chain was 65 m. The seaquake was very strong. Then at 8:10, the sea which had risen quickly surged off to the southeast with unbelievable speed. During the strongest ebb, the depth of water fell to 7 m. After this, at still greater speed than it retreated, the water rose and ran 65 proas around which a few minutes prior had been left on dried bottom. Then the water once again surged back with terrible speed, destroying and carrying away everything. Twenty minutes after, the water rose again; the depth of the water was 14.5 m. This time the wave was as much stronger and more fearsome as it was higher. It inundated the breakwater and the embankment, where most of the crews of the proas had taken refuge, and carried them off. Sixty people died. Many proas, small and large, were tossed onto the embankment and destroyed. Buildings standing on the embankment were washed away. After this the water fell 8 m. Waves just as terrible recurred another four times, with the same period. At 10:30, the oscillations in level began to abate.

No considerable oscillations in sea level were observed on the north coast of Neira Island or on the south coast of Lonthor Island.

On Ai Island, the sea level was a meter higher than the usual flood tide level.

At Ambon [Amboina] the water level surpassed the usual flood tide level by approximately 20 cm. [Reference #132 lists 26 foot waves; reference #79 lists 8 m waves.]

On Saparua Island waves reached a height of 3 m above the level of the highest flood tides.

The tsunami was noticed on Haruku Island at the coastal settlements of Hulaliu and Wassu, on Laot Island at the settlements of Ameth, Akon, Laintu, and on Buru Island. On Ceram Island at the settlements of Amahai and Wahai [?], the water flooded homes near the beach; many proas were washed away. The tsunami was not noticed on Batjan Island.

In 1853, great physiographic changes were discovered between Kai Island and the two islands of Pulu Pisang, which belong to the same group. These changes were ascribed to the earthquake and tsunami of Nov 26, 1852. The surface of these islands was still soft and had a yellow golden color. Three new small islands were discovered betwen the islands of Tayandu (Trando) an Kaimer (Kauer). These islands were composed of fragments of corals and yellow sand. As was related, one of them was later washed away, while the other two were covered over with shrubs. In 1854, a new island was discovered between the islands of Pulu Ergodan and Pulu Hodin (according to other sources, it was situated in the region of Yut island, at 5o 35' S. and 133o E.). The island was round, 250 m in diameter, and protruded above a bank with depths of no more than 2 m. It was made up of clay and was covered with shrubbery.

The report of the Chilean tsunami mentions that the tsunami of 1852 was observed in the Caroline Islands.

November 26 (16, 23), 1852, 6:42 [local time]. At Surabaja, there were light shocks, which were also felt at Semarang and Pasuruan. There was a weak shock at Sumenep. The earthquakes were accompanied by movements of the water from north to south in Grati Lake (Pasuruan District). [Apparently, these data relate to the earthquake described above.]