National Tsunami Warning Center, NOAA/NWS

Solomon Islands Tsunami of 03 January, 2010

Two earthquakes occurred on January 3, 2010 near the Solomon Islands in the southwest Pacific. The first earthquake, magnitude 6.6 at 2148UTC, was located at 8.73S, 157.49E and the second earthquake, magnitude 7.2 at 2236UTC, was located at 8.80S, 157.37E (USGS parameters). The computed Travel Time and Maximum Amplitude graphs are provided for the larger, second event.

The first event triggered a small tsunami observed only at Honiara in the Solomon Islands while the second event triggered a tsunami observed at several locations. While the amplitude of the observed tsunami measured at widely dispersed tide gages is small (less than 10 cm), there are news reports of larger and more destructive waves in the local area. The tsunamis were recorded at tide gages monitored at the Tsunami Warning Centers. Many observatories provide data to the centers; such as the NOAA National Ocean Service, the U. of Hawaii Sea Level Center, the Chilean Navy, and the National Tidal Facility in Australia among others. Click on the site name to see a graph of the tsunami, when available. Listed wave heights are maximum amplitude in cm (above sea level). Observed Arrival time is the actual tsunami arrival time in UTC on gages where it could be determined. The Computed Arrival time is the estimated time of arrival computed at the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) based on the origin time and location. The Sample Interval column shows the time between samples.

For additional information about this tsunami event see the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center's homepage.

 

Travel Time Map
(click to enlarge)

Maximum Amplitude Graph
(click to enlarge)

 

Return To:
NTWC Home Page

Tide gage

Peak amplitude (above sea level in cm)

Observed Initial Arrival time (UTC)

Computed Initial Arrival time (UTC)

Initial motion

Sample Interval (min)

Data File (Julian Day Starts at  0000 UTC)

Honiara, Solomon Islands
Data from first quake

2.0

2227

2225

rise

1

003, 004

Honiara, Solomon Islands

6.7

?

2315

?

1

003, 004

Cape Ferguson, Australia

<3.0

?

?

?

1

        004

Rosslyn Bay, Australia

8.0

?

?

?

1

        004