March 7, 1909 Tsunami: Rarotonga, Cook Islands

The steamer Manapouri, from Rarotonga and Papette, arrived today. The vessel reports that on the night of March 7 a very heavy sea, or series of seas, broke over the island of Rarotonga. Intervals of a quarter of an hour separated the inrushing seas. They rolled in over the reef adjoining the coast, and inundated the low-lying land to a depth of 10 ft. Four wooden bridges were washed away, and a concrete bridge was smashed. A large number of coconut trees were also washed away. Some devastation was done to the fields, and the road was blocked, rendering the transportation of fruit very difficult. Reports from Tahiti also stated that the same phenomenon happened on the south side of the island. Schooners arriving from the Paumotus group experienced three great waves. The tidal disturbance seems to have spread over a wide area of the Eastern Pacific, and it is suggested, in view of the fact that Ngauruhoe eruption occurred on March 9, they were possibly due to the same terrestrial-disturbance manifested in the eruption. (reference #5825)

An earthquake was observed on the coast of Ecuador on March 7, 1909 but it was probably not large enough to generate a tsunami in Rarotonga and Tahiti.

Evening Post, New Zealand, Volume LXXVII, Issue 57, 9 March 1909, p. 7. Heavy Earthquake Shocks. Along Ecuador Coast. Reports from Guayaquil state that heavy earthquake shocks have been experienced along the coast of Ecuador, South America. (reference #7937)

New York Times, 8 March 1909. Earthquake in Ecuador. Two Strong Shocks at Midnight Cause a Panic in Guayaquil. Guayaquil, Ecuador, March 7.--Two strong shocks of earthquake, lasting half a minute, were felt at midnight last night at Guayaquil and along the coast. No damage resulted, but the populace was thrown into a state of great panic. (reference #7938)