"May 21, 1960
A magnitude 8.6 earthquake rattled Valdivia, Chile. Parts of the coastline dropped 5 feet. Some 10,000 acres of farmland were claimed by the sea. The resulting tsunami wave killed over 1,000 people and caused over $400 million in damage in Chile alone. Still, it was not over. The giant wave raced across most of the Pacific at speeds above 440 mph. Slamming into Hilo, HI, the 35 foot wave swept away several blocks of property. And even with advanced warning, some 61 people died in Hilo."

Source:
My ratty ol' 2001 Weather Whys & Wonders Calendar from Accord Publishing LTD/WWW, 1732 Wazee Street, Suite 203, Denver, CO 80202-1284 (the 2002 calendar will be available in October 2001 and advertises for $10.95 + $2.00 S/H).

Cheers and have a great day at the beach,
Dan