1797 Sumatra earthquake

1797 Sumatra earthquake
Local date10 February 1797 (1797-02-10)
Local time22:00
DurationSeven minutes
MagnitudeMw 8.6–8.8
Epicenter1°00′S 99°00′E / 1.0°S 99.0°E / -1.0; 99.0
FaultSunda megathrust
Areas affectedSumatra, Dutch East India Company
Max. intensityEMS-98 IX (Destructive)
TsunamiYes
CasualtiesNumerous

The 1797 Sumatra earthquake occurred at 22:00 local time on 10 February. It was the first in a series of great earthquakes that ruptured part of the Sumatran segment of the Sunda megathrust. It caused a damaging tsunami that was particularly severe near Padang, where a 150–200 t (170–220 short tons) English ship was driven 1 km (0.62 mi) inland up the Arau River.