Historic Tsunami

1975 Philippines Tsunami

31 October 1975 · Philippine Trench · Philippines

On 31 October 1975 at 08:28 UTC, a tsunami formed near Philippine Trench, Philippines. It was caused by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake. Waves reached up to 3.0 m high. It was observed at 28 locations in 5 countries or territories, up to 4,582 km from its source. It killed at least 1 person.

Date

31 October 1975

Time

08:28 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.6

Highest Wave

3.0 m

Observation Sites

28

Furthest Reach

4,582 km

Deaths

1

Homes Destroyed

30

Source Country

Philippines

Triggering Earthquake

M 7.6, 1975

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 2Philippines · 0.1 m1 deaths
• 22Japan · 0.3 m
• 1Marshall Islands, Rep. Of · 0.1 m
• 1United States of America · 0.1 m
• 2Federated States of Micronesia · 0.1 m

Highest Waves

• 0.3 mChoshi · Japan · 2,974 km
• 0.3 mYaene, Hachijo Island · Japan · 2,674 km
• 0.3 mKushimoto · Japan · 2,522 km
• 0.2 mOwase · Japan · 2,601 km
• 0.2 mMiyake Island · Japan · 2,748 km
• 0.2 mMera · Japan · 2,845 km
• 0.2 mChichijima Island · Japan · 2,335 km
• 0.2 mTosa-Shimizu · Japan · 2,351 km
• 0.2 mOmaezaki · Japan · 2,739 km
• 0.1 mLegaspi · Philippines · 253 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2023East Mindanao Island, Philippines · 0.3 m3 deaths
• 2022Abuyog, Leyte, Philippines · 12.0 m170 deaths
• 2012Tanon Strait, Philippines · 5.0 m51 deaths
• 1990Philippines · 2.1 m6 deaths
• 1973Quezon, Philippines · 1.3 m15 deaths
• 1948Sulu Sea, Philippines74 deaths

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