"...On the evening of 17 July 1998, on the Aitape coast of Papua New Guinea, a strongly felt earthquake was followed some 10-25 minutes later by a destructive tsunami.
The tsunami comprised three waves, each estimated to be about 4 m high. The second of the three waves rose to a height of 10-15 m above sea level after it had crossed the shoreline and caused most damage.
Maximum wave heights and greatest damage were recorded along a 14-km sector of coast centered on Sissano Lagoon. In this sector the wave fronts moved from east to west along the coast; all structures were destroyed, and 20-40 percent of the population was killed.
Partial destruction extended 23 km to the southeast and 8 km to the northwest, and effects of the tsunami were felt as far as 250 km to the west-northwest, beyond the international border (Joku, this volume).
More than 1600 people are known to have died, with some estimates as high as 2200; 1000 were seriously injured, and 10,000 survivors were displaced..."
The Aitape 1998 tsunami: Reconstructing the event from interviews and field mapping.
Just saw it on the map a few minutes ago... that makes what, 4 or 5 7+ in that region this week?
"On the evening of Friday 17 July on the north coast of Papua New Guinea a magnitude 7.0 offshore earthquake was followed 15-20 minutes later by a catastrophic tsunami.
The three waves of the tsunami completely destroyed three coastal villages and caused 2200 deaths and 1000 injuries. The following is the latest in a weekly series of popular science pieces, many dealing with the tsunami, that have appeared in The National newspaper, printed in Port Moresby, PNG."
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