Historic Tsunami

1963 Taiwan Tsunami

13 February 1963 · East Taiwan-Ryukyu Islands · Taiwan

On 13 February 1963 at 08:50 UTC, a tsunami formed near East Taiwan-Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan. It was caused by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake. Waves reached up to 0.2 m high. It was observed at 2 locations in 2 countries or territories, up to 8,460 km from its source. It killed at least 15 people and injured 18.

Date

13 February 1963

Time

08:50 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.3

Highest Wave

0.2 m

Observation Sites

2

Furthest Reach

8,460 km

Deaths

15

Injuries

18

Source Country

Taiwan

Triggering Earthquake

1963 Su-ao Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 1Taiwan · 0.2 m
• 1United States of America

Highest Waves

• 0.2 mHualien · Taiwan · 69 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2024East Taiwan-Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan · 1.0 m18 deaths
• 2006Taiwan · 0.1 m2 deaths
• 2002Taiwan · 0.2 m5 deaths
• 1986Taiwan · 0.3 m15 deaths
• 1966East Taiwan-Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan · 0.1 m7 deaths
• 1951Taiwan · 0.3 m68 deaths

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