Historical tsunamis · Jan 25, 1972, 2:06 AM UTC
1972 E. Taiwan tsunami
Taiwan
The tsunami of Jan 25, 1972, 2:06 AM UTC originated near E. Taiwan (Taiwan).
Key facts
- Date
- Jan 25, 1972, 2:06 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.5
- Depth
- 33 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 0.05 m
- Deaths
- 1
- Houses destroyed
- 5
- Damage
- limited (under US$ 1 million)
- Observation records
- 2
- Countries affected
- 2
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake at a depth of 33 km.
The highest documented water height was 0.05 m (Ishigakiko, Japan).
2 observation sites in 2 countries are recorded.
The database records 1 deaths.
Houses destroyed: 5.
Damage is estimated at limited (under US$ 1 million).
Map of observation sites
2Each 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 | 1 | 0.05 m Ishigakiko | — | — |
| Taiwan | 1 | 0.02 m Hualien | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
2 / 2Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ishigakiko · Okinawa | 0.05 m | 279 km | Japan |
| Hualien | 0.02 m | 177 km | Taiwan |
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.