January 24, 1927 Tsunami: Vanuatu Islands
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake began at Vanuatu Islands on January 24, 1927 at 01:05:47 UTC. Its effects were recorded at 2 places.
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
The tsunami
- Date
- January 24, 1927, 01:05:47 UTC
- Source
- Vanuatu Islands
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake
- Magnitude 7.1, 30 km deep
- Runups recorded
- 2
- Waters
- Ocean
- How certain
- Probable tsunami
- Source location
- 18.284° S, 167.756° E
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.
An earthquake on January 24th 1927 with recorded magnitude greater than 7.1 centered in south Malekula produced the worst tsunami. In 1985 an Interview with Chief Graham Kalsakou of Ifira Island clearly indicated that the sieche effect produced by the tsunami entering the almost enclosed harbour resulted in flooding of the coastline to several metres above normal tide. (reference #14393)
When this earthquake came it made the sea level go down. This is what we call a 'Tidal Wave'. But at the time we did not know that name. We did not call this a tidal wave but we saw the sea coming far inshore. (reference #14394)
Every runup
Nearest the source first. Heights are above sea level at the time; a tide gauge reads half the wave’s full height.
| Where | Country | Km from source | Water height, m | Inland, m | Measured by | First wave, UTC | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ifira Island | Vanuatu | 82 | Eyewitness observation of water height | ||||
| Port Vila, Efate Island | Vanuatu | 83 | Eyewitness observation of water height |
More
Every tsunami in 1927The 1900sTsunamis of VanuatuThe 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 6174.