The Rarity of the 1 April 1946 Tsunami

Abstract

Archaeological evidence now suggests that the 1946 tsunami may have been an event unique within the last 2000 years. The earliest level of man's habitation on Nuku Hiva, the largest island in the Marquesas group, has been dated by C14 methods as 2080±120 years (1960 datum). A burial site in the valley of Ha'atuatua, on the northeast coast, is identified with this level: this burial site is located in sandhills instead of the usual lava blisters or tubes, and is, therefore, a very sensitive indicator of any disturbing event. The 1946 tsunami was the first event large enough to damage the burial site since its creation. Evidence exists for only a minor change in sea level during this period. Thus, the tsunami of 1 April 1946 should probably be considered to be at least a one-in-two-thousand years event.