On January 4, 1907 CE, a destructive tsunami struck the northwest coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. According to the NOAA/NCEI Global Historical Tsunami Database, the event was triggered by an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.2. The main shock occurred early in the morning at 05 hours, 19 minutes, and 13.2 seconds UTC, centered at coordinates 2.681° latitude and 95.53° longitude.
Measurements and Impact
The historical record documents a maximum water height of 15.0 meters associated with the tsunami. The event caused a significant loss of life, resulting in a total of 2,188 deaths. In the standardized validity grading system used by historical tsunami databases, this event holds a validity rating of 4, indicating a definite tsunami occurrence.
Event Overview
The following table summarizes the key recorded parameters of the January 4, 1907 tsunami event based on official database records.
| Parameter | Recorded Measurement / Value |
|---|---|
| Event Date | January 4, 1907 CE |
| Origin Time (UTC) | 05:19:13.2 |
| Location | NW. Sumatra, Indonesia |
| Coordinates | 2.681° N, 95.53° E |
| Earthquake Magnitude | 8.2 |
| Maximum Water Height | 15.0 meters |
| Fatalities | 2,188 |
| Database Validity | 4 (Definite tsunami) |
Frequently asked questions
When did the 1907 NW Sumatra tsunami occur?
The tsunami occurred on January 4, 1907 CE, with the earthquake originating at 05:19:13.2 UTC.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake that caused the tsunami?
The triggering earthquake had a magnitude of 8.2.
What was the maximum water height recorded for this event?
The maximum recorded water height associated with the tsunami was 15.0 meters.
How many fatalities were recorded?
The historical database records 2,188 deaths resulting from the event.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.