March 20, 1910 Tsunami: Lake Taupo, North Island, New Zealand

On March 20, 1910 hillside behind the Maori settlement of Waihi, a mile [1.6 km] west of Tokaanu, on the shores of Lake Taupo, began slipping, carrying whares, houses, and everything in its track 1.5 m [2.5 km] to the lake. The landslide spread out about 60 m into the lake in deep water. There was little warning, and one person was killed and others were injured by falling debris. As the hill continued to slide, people left the village... As the large landslide March 20 1910 that fell from 300 m cliffs into Lake Taupo destroying Little Waihi village in its path, entered the lake, it caused a 3 m high surge. The surge then swept to the "opposite" shore where some children, swept off their feet, were rescued with some difficulty by adults. Canoes and boats were washed away. The height of the surge on the opposite shore and its location are unknown, possibly as far away as Motutere, possibly more local to the village, noting that the shoreline of the lake may have changed since 1910. The height of the surge needs to be at least 0.5 metre to have caused the children problems, but probably no more than 1-1.5 m, otherwise there would have been greater impact. Validity 4 (definite tsunami) (reference #5324)

Reference #12345 lists this event as validity 2 (questionable tsunami). (accessed August 2024)