December 29, 1930 Tsunami: Northern Chile

At Copiapo on December 29, 1930, 03:26:24 [local time], there were strong oscillations reaching an intensity of 5 degrees. It was preceded by a shock at 23:55 [local time] on the 28th, which was felt midly at Caldera and was accompanied by aftershocks, which were recorded until the 30th. In the Coquimbo region and on a 550 km (300 miles) stretch to the north, unusually large flood tides and a very heavy sea were observed during the day following the first earthquake. The gigantic waves were of a deep green color, the water had an unpleasant smell and was saturated with plankton. (reference #415)

Press reports state that earth shocks, waves of intensive heat, and abnormally high seas had visited the area around Coquimbo for twenty-four hours ending on December 29th. The gigantic waves were of a peculiar deep green shade, arousing the belief that they were due to some tremendous submarine disturbance. Preirina and Vallenar reported strong earthquake shocks on the night of December 28th. (reference #2668)

Earth shocks continued to be felt along the Chilean coast on December 30th. The captain of the Port of Coquimbo issued an official warning to inhabitants of the towns and villages on the coast not to bathe in the waters of the ocean which reeked with an unnatural odor. An examination of the water revealed a considerable quantity of suspended aniimal mattter, which seemed to justify the popular belief in a very heavy submarine earthquake. (reference #2668)

Reference #79 lists the date as either December 28 or December 30.