On November 1, 1755, at 09:30 UTC, a major tsunami struck Lisbon, Portugal, following an earthquake. According to the NOAA/NCEI Global Historical Tsunami Database, the event is associated with an earthquake magnitude of 8.5, originating at latitude 37.0 and longitude -10.0.
Historical Measurements and Impact
Official records from the NOAA/NCEI database document the maximum water height reached 18.3 meters during the event. The disaster resulted in significant loss of life, with total recorded deaths estimated at 50,000.
Event Classification and Validity
In the global historical tsunami records, this event carries a validity rating of 4, confirming a definite tsunami occurrence. The cause code is categorized as 1, indicating an earthquake-generated tsunami.
Frequently asked questions
When did the 1755 Lisbon tsunami occur?
The tsunami occurred on November 1, 1755, at 09:30 UTC.
What was the earthquake magnitude associated with the Lisbon tsunami?
The associated earthquake had a magnitude of 8.5.
What was the maximum water height recorded for the tsunami?
The recorded maximum water height reached 18.3 meters.
How many deaths were recorded from the event?
The historical database records 50,000 deaths resulting from the event.
Image credits
- James St. John — Wikimedia Commons source — CC BY 4.0
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.