National Tsunami Warning Center, NOAA/NWS

Tsunami of 17 December, 2016

A major earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.9 (USGS magnitude) occurred at 10:51:12 UTC 17 December, 2016 (day 352) and was located 90 m/145 km ESE of Rabaul, New Briatin, P.N.G. ( 4.509S, 153.450E, 103.0 km/ 64.4 mi depth -- USGS location).

This earthquake produced a tsunami that was recorded at tide gages monitored by the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC). Many observatories provide data to the centers; such as the NOAA National Ocean Service, the U. of Hawaii Sea Level Center, the Chilean Navy, the Japan Meteorological Agency 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 wave arrival computed at the NTWC based on the earthquake origin time and location. The Sample Interval column shows the time between data 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)

 

Tide gage/
Measurement Location

Estimated Arrival Time
[UTC (J.Day)]

Observed Arrival time
[UTC (J.Day)]

Peak amplitude
(above sea level in cm)

Time of Peak Amplitude Measurement
[UTC (J.Day)]

Model Forecast Amplitude
(above sea level in cm)

Initial motion

Sample Interval
(min)

Data File
(Julian Day Starts
at 0000 UTC)

Tarekukure Wharf, Solomon Islands

-

1128 (352)

19

1319 (352)

-

up

1

352, 353


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