World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 1986
Historic Tsunami
1986 Taiwan Tsunami
14 November 1986 · Taiwan
On 14 November 1986 at 21:20 UTC, a tsunami formed near Taiwan. It was caused by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Waves reached up to 0.3 m high. It was observed at 5 locations in 2 countries or territories, up to 666 km from its source. It killed at least 15 people and injured 50.
- Date
- 14 November 1986
- Time
- 21:20 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 7.8
- Highest Wave
- 0.3 m
- Observation Sites
- 5
- Furthest Reach
- 666 km
- Deaths
- 15
- Injuries
- 50
- Source Country
- Taiwan
- Triggering Earthquake
- 1986 Hualien Earthquake
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
Highest Waves
- 0.3 mHirara · Japan · 389 km
- 0.1 mIshigakiko · Japan · 268 km
- 0.1 mNaha · Japan · 666 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2024East Taiwan-Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan · 1.0 m18 deaths
- 2002Taiwan · 0.2 m5 deaths
- 1966East Taiwan-Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan · 0.1 m7 deaths
- 1963East Taiwan-Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan · 0.2 m15 deaths
- 1951Taiwan · 0.3 m68 deaths
- 1918Guangdong Province, China2,000 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth