Tsunamis in 1869

June 1, 1869 Tsunami: N. California, United States

June 1, 1869 · Probable tsunami

A tsunami of unknown cause began at N. California, United States on June 1, 1869. 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
June 1, 1869
Source
N. California, United States
Cause
Unknown
Runups recorded
1
Waters
Ocean
How certain
Probable tsunami

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.

A series of earthquake waves were recorded on the earthquake indicator (tide gauge) at Fort Point. The marigram record also shows some activity. Source unknown.

Every runup

Nearest the source first. Heights are above sea level at the time; a tide gauge reads half the wave’s full height.

WhereCountryKm from sourceWater height, mInland, mMeasured byFirst wave, UTCDeaths
Fort Point, CA, CAUnited StatesTide gauge (half the maximum wave height)

More

Every tsunami in 1869The 1800sTsunamis of United StatesThis 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 1000.