1888 Ritter Island eruption and tsunami
| 1888 Ritter Island eruption and tsunami | |
|---|---|
| Volcano | Ritter Island |
| Start date | March 13, 1888 |
| End date | March 13, 1888 |
| Type | Phreatic or phreatomagmatic |
| Location | Bismarck Sea (German New Guinea) 5°31′12″S 148°06′54″E / 5.520°S 148.115°E |
| VEI | 2 |
| Impact | Volcanic summit collapsed resulting in a tsunami |
| Deaths | 1,500–3,000 (estimated) |
On 13 March 1888, a section of Ritter Island, a small volcanic island off the coast of New Guinea, collapsed into the sea in a sector collapse. The collapse triggered tsunami waves that struck nearby and distant islands such as New Guinea, Umboi, Sakar and New Britain. It caused heavy damage and deaths in coastal settlements. While no confirmed death toll exists, it is estimated that between 1,500 and 3,000 people died.