Posted December 31, 2004

(last updated April 25, 2005)

Indian Ocean Tsunami of 26 December, 2004

The December 26 earthquake produced the largest trans-oceanic tsunami in over 40 years, and killed more people than any tsunami in recorded history.

Earthquake Parameters (USGS):

Latitude: 3.3N

Longitude: 95.8E

Origin Time: 00:58:53UTC on December 26, 2004

04:58:53PST on December 25, 2004

Magnitude: 9.0

This page links to sites with earthquake and tsunami analysis of the event, as well as providing tsunami travel time maps and tide gage recordings of the wave.

Tsunami Links Earthquake Links

Pacific Marine Environmental Lab United States Geological Survey

Geological Survey of Japan Model IISEE

Global Security Images CalTech

ITSU Istanbul Technical University

Tsunami Lab Novosibirsk, Russia

NASA

UNOSAT

Tsunami Videos

PMEL Link Page

National Geophysical Data Center

Japanese Research Group

Tsunami Travel Time Maps (click to enlarge)


west of epicenter
West of epicenter
propagation into pacific
Tsunami propagation directly to Pacific
Tsunami south of australia
Tsunami propagation forced south of Australia

Tsunami Model - link to UAF/NTWC Indian Ocean Tsunami Study

Tsunami Recordings on Tide Gages

The Indian Ocean tsunami was recorded on several tide gages recorded at the National Tsunami Warning Center. The gages are operated by many different agencies including the NOAA/National Ocean Service, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the University of Hawaii, and the National Tidal Facility of Australia. Click on the site name to see a graph of the tsunami. Wave heights are maximum peak-to-trough height in cm. Arrival times are the actual tsunami arrival time in UTC on gages where it can be determined. The sample interval column lists the time between samples. Click on the sample interval to get the raw data. Water levels are given in meters and time in a decimal day format. One minute data is given where available with the time in hour minute format. NOTE: The data is provided as recorded at the NTWC some gaps and repetitions occur within the data files.

Tide Gage Site

Wave Height (cm p-t)

Arrival Time (UTC)

Sample Int. (min.)

Cocos Is., Australia

42

0320 12/26

6

Jackson Bay, NZ

65

1510 12/26

6

Chatham I., NZ

35

?

2

Port Vila, Vanuatu

15

?

6

Noumea, New Caledonia

10

?

3

Nukualofa, Tonga

10

?

6

King's Wharf, Fiji

5

0000 12/27

6

Pago Pago, American Samoa

10

?

6

Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia

5

?

4

Hilo, Hawaii, USA

15

?

6 1

Kahului, Hawaii, USA

25

?

6

Kawaihae, Hawaii, USA

10

?

6

Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

5

?

6 1

Adak, Alaska, USA

17

?

6 1

Dutch Harbor, Alaska, USA

12

?

6

Neah Bay, Washington, USA

5

?

6 1

Crescent City, California, USA

42

?

6 1

Arena Cove, California, USA

15

?

6 1

Point Reyes, California, USA

22

?

6 1

San Francisco, California, USA

10

?

6

Monterey, California, USA

7

?

6

Port San Luis, California, USA

45

?

6 1

Santa Monica, California, USA

30

?

6 1

Los Angeles, California, USA

20

?

6

La Jolla, California, USA

5

?

6

San Diego, California, USA

20

?

6 1

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

20

?

2

Acajutla, El Salvador

30

?

2

Baltra I., Galapagos Is.

30

0625 1427

2

Callao, Peru

65

0520 12/27

6

Arica, Chile

70

0405 12/27

2

Iquique, Chile

20

0440 12/27

2

Antofagasta, Chile

25

?

2

Caldera, Chile

20

?

2

Coquimbo, Chile

35

0200 12/27

2

Valparaiso, Chile

15

?

2

San Antonio, Chile

10

?

2

Talcahuano, Chile

30

0135 12/27

2

Corral, Chile

25

0150 12/27

2

Punta Corona, Chile

5

?

2

Puerto Williams, Chile

29

?

2

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