September 14, 1906 Tsunami: Solomon Sea, Papua New Guinea

Reference #414:

1906, Sept 14, 16:04.3 UTC [Sept 14 01:30 local time], validity 4. 7 S, 149 E, magnitude 8.1. There was an earthquake with source near the Huon Peninsula. It was registered all over the globe... The tidal waves which arose were observed along the entire coast from Heldsbuch on the north to Busega in Huon Gulf, and also on the islands of Tami, Siassi and Umboi. According to observations at Finsh Harbor, about 15 minutes after the earthquake the sea "began to rumble" and a larger roller surged in, as a result of which the water level rose 1.2-1.5 m above the flood tide mark. The lowlying part of the coast was flooded, and the dike between the land and Madang Island, which was built of large coral blocks, was washed out. "Freezing" for 1/2 minute, the flood tide receded just as quickly and unexpectedly as it had appeared and the subsequent ebb tide was a good 1.5 m lower than the strongest equinoctial ebb tides. The flood tide recurred many times, but an unusually low level of the sea in general obtained until 10:00. Only after that did the water again return slowly to its normal level. The inhabitants of the villages on the islands escaped to "the big land" from the oncoming flood tide and dared to return to their homes only many days later. According to a missionary, on Umboi Island, the water retreated from shore, but no tidal waves were observed.

Reference #79:

1906, Sept 14, 16:04 UTC. 7 S 149 E, Dampier Strait, magnitude 8.1 MS. New Guinea: Huon Peninsula and Gulf Finschafen 1.5 m, Tami, Siassi and Rooke Islands. New Britain, W. Coast. Widespread destruction. Oscillations continued until 10:00 [local time].

Reference #99:

1906, Sept. 14. ...Furthermore, a tidal wave affected the whole coast from Heldsbach in the north to Busega on the Schollen bruschspitze on the Huon Gulf, as well as the Tami and Siassi Islands. According to observations in Finschhafen, the sea roared enormously for about 15 min after the first tremor and a spring tide appeared. The water level rose to 1.2 to 1.5 m above highest sea-level mark, and the low-lying coastal areas were flooded;a causeway constructed from massive coral blocks from the mainland to the island of Madang was completely washed away. After remaining at the highest level for half a minute, the flood ran off as quickly as it appeared. After remaining at the highest level for about half a minute, the flood ran of as quickly as it appeared. The following low tide was about 1.5 m below the normal spring low tide during the change of the monsoon. The high tide returned several times; the unusual low tide remained until 10 a.m. Thereafter the water level rose slowly to normal. The natives from the island villages, Quamquam, Sisalum, etc., fled from the flood wave to the mainland and did not return to their villages for days. Especially important may be the report from Missionary J.S. Pfalzer (observation by Missionary Hansche) that no flood wave occurred on the island of Ruk; on the contrary the water retreated there. Is there not a possibility that sudden submarine slumping may have caused the movement of the water masses? Also Missionary G. Bamler locates the epicentre between Kaiser Wilhelm Land and Neu-Pommern and considers a block down thrust. In this connection it also remarkable that according to Missionary Hansche, on the day before the earthquake, on September 14th, smoke emerged from the volcano on the island of Tupinier.

1906, Sept 15, 01:30 [local time]. New Guinea, Dampier Strait, Huon Peninsula and Gulf Finschafen, Tami, Siassi and Rooke Is. New Britain west coast. Widespread destruction. Oscillations continued until 10:00 [local time].

Reference #132:

1906, Sept 14. Eastern New Guinea. Earthquake and sea wave.