Historical tsunamis · Mar 14, 1872, 8:20 AM UTC
1872 SW. Honshu Island tsunami
Japan
The tsunami of Mar 14, 1872, 8:20 AM UTC originated near SW. Honshu Island (Japan).
Key facts
- Date
- Mar 14, 1872, 8:20 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.4
- Depth
- 33 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 3.00 m
- Deaths
- 804
- Injuries
- 200
- Houses destroyed
- 5,796
- Damage
- limited (under US$ 1 million)
- Observation records
- 11
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake at a depth of 33 km.
The highest documented water height was 3.00 m (Fukumitsu, Japan).
11 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 804 deaths.
Houses destroyed: 5,796.
Damage is estimated at limited (under US$ 1 million).
Map of observation sites
11Each dot is a documented observation site; colour and size show the observed water height. The triangle marks the source.
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 11 | 3.00 m Fukumitsu | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
11 / 11Individual documented observations for this event. Heights come from different measurement types and sources; not every location has a measured height.
| Location / station | Observed height | Distance from source | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fukumitsu · Toyama | 3.00 m | 477 km | Japan |
| Sufu · Shimane | 1.00 m | 6 km | Japan |
| Takashima Island · Shimane | 1.00 m | 16 km | Japan |
| Kamate · Shimane | 0.75 m | 20 km | Japan |
| Hamada · Shimane | — | 6 km | Japan |
| Isotake · Shimane | — | 52 km | Japan |
| Kokubu · Shimane | — | 11 km | Japan |
| Kuromatsu · Shimane | — | 33 km | Japan |
| Mino District · Shimane | — | 26 km | Japan |
| Nagahama · Shimane | — | 6 km | Japan |
| Yuzato · Shimane | — | 46 km | Japan |
More tsunamis
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Historical Tsunami Database. Confirmed events only. Deaths and damage are database estimates; older records are incomplete. Water heights come from different types of observation.