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Has St. Croix had a tsunami?

Fredriksted St. Croix was struck by two large tsunami waves, each approximately 7.6 meters high, according to eyewitness accounts. These waves caused severe damage along the waterfront, washing several wooden houses and other structures a considerable distance inland.



Yes, St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands) has a documented history of tsunamis, with the most significant occurring on November 18, 1867. This tsunami followed a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake centered in the Anegada Passage. In St. Croix, the water reportedly receded significantly before a wave estimated at 20 feet (6 meters) high struck the town of Frederiksted, washing a large Navy ship (the USS Monongahela) inland onto the streets. In 2026, St. Croix is classified as having a "moderate" tsunami risk by agencies like NOAA and the Caribbean Tsunami Warning Program. While major tsunamis are rare, the island is part of a seismically active "subduction zone" where the Caribbean and North American plates meet. As a high-value safety measure, the island is now dotted with "Tsunami Evacuation" signage and a loud siren warning system. If you are on a beach and feel a strong earthquake or see the ocean receding unusually far, the peer-to-peer advice is to move immediately to higher ground—at least 100 feet above sea level—without waiting for an official siren.

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