July 26, 1971 Tsunami: Solomon Sea, Papua New Guinea

July 26, 1971: 11 hr 23 min [local time]. A strong earthquake occurred on New Ireland at a magnitude of 7.9 and at a depth of 50 km. The tsunami arrived in Rabaul after approximately 28 minutes, a few minutes before midday. It began with a small ebb and was followed by a series of waves of larger amplitude. The maximum wave height from peak to trough was estimated at 5-6 m, although the tide gauge did not record that level. The period was about 30 min. This tsunami occurred during low-tide, but the maximum rise of water nearly submerged the usual high-tide mark by 1.8 m. Coastal flooding damaged boats, automobiles, and buildings. The tsunami reached a height of 18 cm and a period of 27 min as registered in the tide gauge records at Alotau (Madang, Papua New Guinea). At Anewa Bay a height of 42 cm and a period of 10 min was recorded. The tsunami caused damage on the southern coast of New Ireland where coastal villages reported destruction of houses, quays, and plantations. A plantation in Metlika, near the source region, was completely destroyed. Waves penetrated 800 m inland. Nissan Island which was close to the epicenter also sustained damage. Tsunami destruction was irregularly dispersed along the affected coastline. Some places escaped damage while others were heavily hit. The tsunami was also observed in places beyond New Britain and New Ireland. The following tsunami heights were reported: 24 cm on Kwajalein, 9 cm on Ttuk, 6 cm on Wake, 12 cm on Midway, 12 cm in Honolulu, 30 cm on Kahului, 9 cm in Los Angeles, 15 cm in Crescent City, and 6 cm on Attu Island. (reference #417)

Much of the quake damage was concentrated around the Cape St. George and villages and plantations adjacent to it. The villages most affected were Lamassa and Lambom. Both villages were hit by the tidal wave that swept across the tip of Cape St. George. The other villages namely - Matkamalagir sic, Bakum, Bakok sic, Morukon and Taron weren't hit by tidal wave. Much of the damage in the latter villages were caused by the tremor alone. (reference #99)

Tsunami height (crest to trough in meters ) 6.5 in Rabaul Harbor, causing flood damage along waterfront. Damage by tsunami reported on southern New Ireland. Also felt eastern New Guinea. (Reference #1053)

Damage estimated unofficially at more than $1 million was caused by yesterday's earthquake and tidal waves although there are no reports of lives lost or serious injuries […] In the previous earthquake, on July 14, 17 of the 30 college buildings were destroyed or damaged. Yesterday, four staff houses were washed away […] Metlik plantation on the southern tip of New Ireland, near Lambon, suffered heavily yesterday when one of two tidal waves swept half a mile inland, flattening buildings, but there are still no reports of anyone dead or injured. The Vulcanological Observatory at Rabaul reported that the level of the port's Simpson Harbour rose and fell 15 ft after the earthquake. (reference #14298)

The second wave reached Rabaul's main street and shopping centre taking with it boats and cars from the foreshore and swamping some shops and motels […] A man and a women were swept out to sea from Matupit Island when the tidal wave struck, but they were picked up by a canoe and taken ashore […] flew over the [Metlik] plantation said that a tidal wave apparently swept up to half a mile through the plantation, flattening all the houses. (reference #14299)