Ritter Island

Overview

Ritter Island is a volcanic island located in the Bismarck Sea off the northeastern coast of Papua New Guinea. It experienced a significant flank collapse and subsequent mega-tsunami event on August 3, 1888.

Mega-Tsunami Event Summary

• Date: August 3, 1888
• Cause: Massive volcanic flank collapse
• Impact: Sudden formation of a tsunami reaching heights up to 100 meters in some areas

Key Concepts and Details

• Mega-tsunamis vs. Typical Tsunamis
  • Mega-tsunamis are sudden, violent events resulting from the rapid collapse of landmasses into the ocean, unlike typical tsunamis which develop slowly after seismic activity.
  • They occur without the usual distant warning signs and can cause catastrophic damage to coastal areas.

Related Concepts

• volcanic-eruption
• tsunami formation
• geological hazards

References and Resources

• Video Resource:
  • Title: The Devastating 100 Metre Tall MEGA TSUNAMI of 1888
  • channel: OzGeology
  • URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxgWK-I6SVs

Backlinks

• 2026 04 11 Ritter Island 1888 Volcanic Flank Collapse and Mega Tsunami Devastatio

Source Notes

• 2026-04-11: Ritter Island 1888 Volcanic Flank Collapse and Mega Tsunami Devastatio · ▶ source