1977 Sumba earthquake

Also called the Sumbawa earthquake, the shock occurred beneath the Indian Ocean about 290 kilometres south of Bima, Sumbawa, near the southern section of the Sunda Trench where other tsunami-generating earthquakes have happened. Damage was limited to Indonesia, though the ground movement was reportedly felt as far away as Albany in Australia and the power supply was briefly cut in Port Hedland. At least 107 were confirmed dead with several dozen missing and presumed dead; some sources combine earthquake and tsunami deaths for a total of about 180, alongside 1,100 injuries, so the figures differ.

Date and time (UTC)
1977-08-19T06:08
Highest recorded water height (m)
15
Cause, as the catalogue records it
earthquake
Magnitude of the causing earthquake
8.3
Deaths, as sources state them
At least 107 confirmed, with several dozen missing; some sources give about 180; estimates differ
NCEI event page
www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/tsunami/event-more-info/2092

Category: Disasters & Incidents

Tags: earthquake, indonesia, sunda trench, indian ocean

Coordinates: -11.164, 118.378

Part of Tsunamis with waves of 15 metres or more from 1950 to 1999

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