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From: "C. & L. Collins" <>
Subject: Non-Gene - Indian Ocean Tsunami, 1833
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 22:48:04 +1000

Hi Listers,

I am searching for records of a possible tsunami ('tidal wave') which may
have been observed on the 24 or 25 of November in 1833 following a great
earthquake off the southern coast of Sumatra. This earthquake is believed to
have had a magnitude between 8.5 - 9.0 making it amongst the largest
recorded, and modelling suggests that the coastlines of the Bay of Bengal,
southern India, Ceylon, and islands in the Indian Ocean may have experienced
a substantial tsunami. If anyone comes across a reference to such an event
in their ancestors' papers I would very much appreciate hearing about it.
It is not only of historical interest but is very much relevant to assessing
the present day hazard to coastal areas in the region.

A number of other tsunamis have been recorded from earthquakes in the Bay of
Bengal, particularly from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, since 1737, and
if you have come across any reference to these I would also appreciate
hearing about them.

Many thanks,
Clive Collins
(also searching for COLLINS, BARTON, EDWARDS, BAKER, ORR, SMITH, STANFORD)

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• Non-Gene - Indian Ocean Tsunami, 1833 by "C. & L. Collins" <>