June 16, 1961 Tsunami: NE Colombia, W Venezuela
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake began at NE Colombia, W Venezuela on June 16, 1961 at 10:31:57 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
The tsunami
- Date
- June 16, 1961, 10:31:57 UTC
- Source
- NE Colombia, W Venezuela
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake
- Magnitude 6.5, 120 km deep
- Runups recorded
- 1
- Waters
- A lake or river, not the ocean
- How certain
- Definite tsunami
- Source location
- 8.900° N, 73.400° 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.
It is possible that the earthquake created a seiche action in Lake Maraicabo, Venezuela, causing partial inundation of the town of Sur del Lago, at the southern part of the lake. The epicenter is approximately 200km from Sur del Lago. Singer et al. (Reference #410) mentions a verified earthquake associated with this wave action but gives no further details.
1961, June 16. An irrupcion [bursting forth; surging up] of waves occurred at Lago de Maracaibo. Source was an earthquake. (reference #410)
1961, June 16, 10:31 UTC, 8.9 N, 73.4 W, Lago de Maracaibo, Venezeula. An irrupcion [bursting forth; surging up] of waves occurred at Lago de Maracaibo. The towns south of the lake were partially flooded. Singer confirmed an association with an earthquake. Validity 4 (definite tsunami) (reference #1492)
Reference #12345 lists as questionable tsunami (accessed July 2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sur del Lago | Venezuela | 187 | Eyewitness observation of water height |
More
Every tsunami in 1961The 1900sTsunamis of ColombiaThe 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 2385.