Tsunamis in 1914

February 26, 1914 Tsunami: S. Peru

February 26, 1914 · Very doubtful tsunami

A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake began at S. Peru on February 26, 1914 at 04:58:12 UTC. 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
February 26, 1914, 04:58:12 UTC
Source
S. Peru
Cause
Earthquake
Runups recorded
1
Waters
Ocean
How certain
Very doubtful tsunami
Source location
17.000° S, 72.000° W

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.

February 26, 1914 (04h48.2 UTC, 18 S, 67 W, depth 130 km, magnitude 7.2). At Arequipa, the strongest earthquake of the year occurred, reaching 6-7 degrees. The loud roar of breakers was heard at a distance of 55 km (30 miles) inland from the coast at Mollendo immediately following the tremors. (reference #415)

Note: The location of the earthquake given in reference #415 must be incorrect (18 S, 67 W is in Bolivia). Arequipa is located at 16.4 S, 71.55 W, and Mollendo is located at 17.02 S, 72 W.

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
MollendoPeru2Eyewitness observation of water height

More

Every tsunami in 1914The 1900sTsunamis of PeruThe earthquakeThis 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 1413.