World Map › Major Tsunamis Since 1900 › 2003
Historic Tsunami
2003 Japan Tsunami
25 September 2003 · Hokkaido Island · Japan
On 25 September 2003 at 19:50 UTC, a tsunami formed near Hokkaido Island, Japan. It was caused by a magnitude 8.3 earthquake. Waves reached up to 4.4 m high. It was observed at 268 locations in 3 countries or territories, up to 7,901 km from its source. It killed at least 2 people and injured 849.
- Date
- 25 September 2003
- Time
- 19:50 UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Earthquake Magnitude
- 8.3
- Highest Wave
- 4.4 m
- Observation Sites
- 268
- Furthest Reach
- 7,901 km
- Deaths
- 2
- Injuries
- 849
- Estimated Damage
- 90 million US dollars
- Source Country
- Japan
- Triggering Earthquake
- 2003 Tokachi Earthquake
Countries and Territories Reached
Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.
- 245Japan · 4.4 m2 deaths
- 18United States of America · 0.2 m
- 5Canada · 0.1 m
Highest Waves
- 4.4 mMabiro · Japan · 154 km
- 4.3 mMabiro · Japan · 154 km
- 4.1 mBanseionsen · Japan · 87 km
- 4.0 mHamataiki · Japan · 83 km
- 4.0 mHorokayantou · Japan · 87 km
- 4.0 mOikamanai · Japan · 89 km
- 4.0 mMabiro · Japan · 154 km
- 3.9 mHyakuninhama · Japan · 58 km
- 3.9 mHyakuninhama · Japan · 58 km
- 3.9 mHyakuninhama · Japan · 58 km
Other Major Tsunamis in the Region
- 2011Honshu Island, Japan · 39.3 m18,423 deaths
- 1993Sea of Japan, Japan · 32.0 m231 deaths
- 1983Noshiro, Japan · 14.9 m104 deaths
- 1982Hokkaido Island, Japan · 1.3 m110 deaths
- 1968Off East Coast of Honshu Island, Japan · 6.0 m52 deaths
- 1933Sanriku, Japan · 29.0 m3,022 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth