The energy released by volcanoes can be transferred as a perilous wave provided there is a large body of water nearby.
The table on the left has a few examples of eruptions that resulted in a tsunami. More detail on selected volcanoes that have produced tsunamis are found in the links to the right.
Photo Courtesy: AFP
Noteworthy Volcanic Tsunamis:
Date of Tsunami |
Volcano Location |
Tsunami Cause and Impact |
1638 BC |
Santorini, Greece |
|
79 AD |
Vesuvius, Italy |
|
1631 |
Vesuvius, Italy |
|
1640 |
Komagatake, Japan |
|
1715 |
Taal, Philippines |
|
1741 |
Oshima-Oshima, Japan |
|
1749 |
Taal, Philippines |
|
1792 |
Unzen, Japan |
|
1815 |
Tambora, Indonesia |
|
1871 |
Ruang, Indonesia |
|
1878 |
Yasur, Vanuata |
|
1878 |
Okmok, Alaska, USA |
|
1883 |
Augustine, Alaska, USA |
|
1883 |
Krakatau, Indonesia |
|
1888 |
Ritter, Papua new Guinea |
|
1902 |
Pelee, Carribean |
|
1913 |
Ambrym, Vanuatu |
|
1928 |
Paluweh, Indonesia |
|
1930 |
Stromboli, Italy |
|
1933 |
Severgin, Kurile Islands |
|
1956 |
Bezymianny, Russia |
|
1969 |
Didicas, Philippines |
|
1972, 1974 |
Ritter, Papua New Guinea |
|
1979 |
Illiwerung, Indonesia |
|
1980 |
St Helens, Washington, USA |
|
1983 |
Illiwerung, Indonesia |
|
1986 |
Nyos, Cameroon |
|
1988 |
Vulcano, Italy |
|
1994 |
Rabaul, Papua New Guinea |
|
1996 |
Karymsky, Russia |
|
1997 |
Soufriere Hills, Montserrat |
|
2002 |
Stromboli, Italy |
|
2007 |
Ritter, Papua New Guinea |
|