Historic Tsunami

1953 Japan Tsunami

25 November 1953 · Kashima · Japan

On 25 November 1953 at 17:48 UTC, a tsunami formed near Kashima, Japan. It was caused by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake. Waves reached up to 3.0 m high. It was observed at 33 locations in 2 countries or territories, up to 6,382 km from its source. It killed at least 1 person.

Date

25 November 1953

Time

17:48 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.4

Highest Wave

3.0 m

Observation Sites

33

Furthest Reach

6,382 km

Deaths

1

Source Country

Japan

Triggering Earthquake

M 7.4, 1953

Countries and Territories Reached

Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.

• 30Japan · 3.0 m
• 3United States of America · 0.2 m

Highest Waves

• 3.0 mChoshi · Japan · 209 km
• 3.0 mSotokawa · Japan · 204 km
• 3.0 mInuwaka · Japan · 204 km
• 1.8 mMera · Japan · 200 km
• 1.8 mTomisaki · Japan · 201 km
• 1.5 mKominato · Japan · 185 km
• 1.5 mYaene, Hachijo Island · Japan · 205 km
• 1.2 mNaarai (Choshi City) · Japan · 206 km
• 0.8 mShimoda · Japan · 264 km
• 0.8 mHonze · Japan · 271 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2011Honshu Island, Japan · 39.3 m18,423 deaths
• 1952Myojinsho Submarine Volcano, Japan · 0.5 m31 deaths
• 1945Tokaido, Japan · 1.0 m2,306 deaths
• 1944Off Southeast Coast Kii Peninsula, Japan · 10.0 m1,223 deaths
• 1923Sagami Bay, Japan · 13.0 m105,385 deaths
• 1905Japan: Off Fukushima, Japan57 deaths

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth