Historical tsunamis · Dec 4, 1972, 10:16 AM UTC
1972 Chichi Jima tsunami
Japan
The tsunami of Dec 4, 1972, 10:16 AM UTC originated near Chichi Jima (Japan).
Key facts
- Date
- Dec 4, 1972, 10:16 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.4
- Depth
- 66 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 0.50 m
- Damage
- limited (under US$ 1 million)
- Observation records
- 39
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake at a depth of 66 km.
The highest documented water height was 0.50 m.
39 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
Damage is estimated at limited (under US$ 1 million).
Map of observation sites
39Each 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 | 39 | 0.35 m Kushimoto | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 39Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kushimoto · Wakayama | 0.35 m | 458 km | Japan |
| Hitachiko · Ibaraki | 0.23 m | 355 km | Japan |
| Uragami · Wakayama | 0.22 m | 447 km | Japan |
| Mera · Chiba | 0.21 m | 197 km | Japan |
| Omaezaki · Shizuoka | 0.21 m | 271 km | Japan |
| Mera · Chiba | 0.20 m | 197 km | Japan |
| Owase · Mie | 0.20 m | 426 km | Japan |
| Owase · Mie | 0.20 m | 426 km | Japan |
| Yaene, Hachijo Island · Tokyo | 0.17 m | 90 km | Japan |
| Oaraiko · Ibaraki | 0.16 m | 337 km | Japan |
| Aburatsu · Miyazaki | 0.15 m | 893 km | Japan |
| Murotomisaki · Kochi | 0.15 m | 608 km | Japan |
| Onahama · Fukushima | 0.15 m | 404 km | Japan |
| Kozushima · Izu-Oshima, Tokyo | 0.13 m | 177 km | Japan |
| Shionomisaki · Wakayama | 0.13 m | 461 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.