On February 8, 1843, at 14 hours and 50 minutes, a destructive tsunami struck the location of Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe (French Territory). According to the official historical record maintained by the NOAA/NCEI Global Historical Tsunami Database, the event was directly associated with an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 8.5.
Event Parameters and Measurements
The historical entry captures several key physical and impact measurements associated with the disaster:
- Event Date and Time: February 8, 1843, at 14:50 CE
- Location Coordinates: Latitude 16.73, Longitude -61.17
- Maximum Water Height: 1.2 meters
- Associated Earthquake Magnitude: 8.5
- Recorded Fatalities: 5,000
- Database Validity: 4 (indicating definite tsunami occurrence)
Understanding the Record
The maximum water height of 1.2 meters represents the recorded peak wave measurement for this specific location rather than a uniform height across all affected coastlines. The event is cataloged with a cause code of 1, denoting an earthquake origin. The high mortality figure of 5,000 deaths reflects the devastating impact of the combined earthquake and resulting sea wave on the region during the mid-19th century.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Pointe-à-Pitre tsunami occur?
The tsunami occurred on February 8, 1843, at 14:50 CE.
What was the maximum water height recorded during the event?
The recorded maximum water height was 1.2 meters.
Was the tsunami linked to an earthquake?
Yes, the event was associated with an earthquake of magnitude 8.5.
How many fatalities were recorded?
The historical database records a total of 5,000 deaths for this event.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.