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The tsunami of 22 May 1960 in French Polynesia

HAWAII INSTITUTE OF GEOPHYSICS

Abstract

Except for the Marquesas Islands, the islands of French Oceania are relatively safe from tsunamis because of well-developed reefs, inner lagoons, and steep offshore slopes, hence the Chilean tsunami of 22-23 May 1960 was not well developed. Detailed data are given for Tahiti. The greatest runup height was 3.4 meters above low water, the average was 1.7 meters. Runup of 1 meter was observed in the Leeward Islands. In the Austral Islands the highest wave reached 1.8 meters. The Tuamotu Archipelago suffered water level changes of about 1 meter. In the Marquesas Islands runups of about 3 meters were observed.

No human casualties were reported from French Polynesia and damage was slight.

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