January 1884 Tsunami: Macuata, Fiji

A correspondent, writing from Macuata, describes a recent earthquake: "... On shore it made itself felt by everyone, and at sea it created such a commotion that the fish jumped out of the water on the flats and made for greater depths...Some of the previous shocks have been attended by tidal disturbances, the rise and fall being as much as six feet in half an hour; on this last occasion it was nearly high water and no perceptible change took place." […] The first report was of a small tsunami at Levuka in 1881 and another in 1884 described a typical tsunami which was noted several years earlier on the northern Vanua Levu coastline and which was associated with an earthquake to the north. Probably both reports refer to the same tsunami occurrence.(reference #1184)

A correspondent, writing from Macuata, thus describes a recently experienced shock of earthquake:--"It appeared to be moving from east to west and the motion was accompanied by a low rumbling sound like that which follows the explosion of dynamite under water. The shock was a very severe one; by far the most severe that I have experienced during thirteen years residence in Fiji. On shore it made itself felt by every one, and at sea it created such a commotion that the fish jumped out of the water on the flats and made for greater depths. It was sufficiently severe to split the concrete foundation of my house in two places. During my residence here I have at various times felt the shocks of seven earthquakes, but this is the first occasion on which I have noticed the rumbling sound described. Some of the previous shocks have been attended by tidal disturbances, the rise and fall being as much as six feet in half an hour; on this last occasion it was nearly high water and no perceptible change took place. The weather was fine with a light easterly wind blowing, and it is somewhat strange that I have noticed this to be the case on every previous occasion." (reference #11526)