World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1983
Historic Tsunami
1983 Japan Tsunami
26 May 1983 · Noshiro · Japan
On 26 May 1983 at 02:59 UTC, a tsunami formed near Noshiro, Japan. It was caused by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Waves reached up to 14.9 m high. It was observed at 236 locations in 4 countries or territories, up to 1,817 km from its source. It killed at least 104 people and injured 324.
- Date
- 26 May 1983
- Time
- 02:59 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.8
- Highest Wave
- 14.9 m
- Observation Sites
- 236
- Furthest Reach
- 1,817 km
- Deaths
- 104
- Injuries
- 324
- Homes Destroyed
- 3,513
- Estimated Damage
- 800 million US dollars
- Source Country
- Japan
- Triggering Earthquake
- 1983 Sea of Japan Earthquake
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 214Japan · 14.9 m47 deaths
- 8South Korea · 5.0 m3 deaths
- 13Russia · 8.0 m
- 1China · 0.4 m
Highest Waves
- 14.9 mMinehama · Japan · 80 km
- 12.7 mTakefu (Noshiro) · Japan · 566 km
- 6.6 mKamaya · Japan · 84 km
- 6.1 mHokkaido (S.) · Japan · 369 km
- 6.1 mN. Honshu · Japan · 505 km
- 6.0 mHachimorigyoko · Japan · 78 km
- 6.0 mNoshirokohatsudensho · Japan · 82 km
- 6.0 mTikhaya Bay · Russia · 660 km
- 5.8 mJusanko-Tenboudai · Japan · 121 km
- 5.0 mUlleung-Do Island · South Korea · 787 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2024Honshu: W Coast, Japan · 11.3 m549 deaths
- 2011Honshu Island, Japan · 39.3 m18,423 deaths
- 1993Sea of Japan, Japan · 32.0 m231 deaths
- 1982Hokkaido Island, Japan · 1.3 m110 deaths
- 1933Sanriku, Japan · 29.0 m3,022 deaths
- 1905Japan: Off Fukushima, Japan57 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth