Historical tsunamis · Jun 17, 1973, 3:55 AM UTC
1973 Hokkaido Island tsunami
Japan
The tsunami of Jun 17, 1973, 3:55 AM UTC originated near Hokkaido Island (Japan).
Key facts
- Date
- Jun 17, 1973, 3:55 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.7
- Depth
- 48 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 5.96 m
- Injuries
- 27
- Houses destroyed
- 2
- Damage
- US$ 5.0 million
- Observation records
- 70
- Countries affected
- 5
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake at a depth of 48 km.
The highest documented water height was 5.96 m (Fureshima, Japan).
70 observation sites in 5 countries are recorded.
Outside the source country, the earliest documented arrival was at Tofino (Clayoquot),British Columbia (Canada) after 9:50 h.
Houses destroyed: 2.
Damage is estimated at US$ 5.0 million.
Map of observation sites
70Each dot is a documented observation site; colour and size show the observed water height. The triangle marks the source.
Tsunami arrival times
Documented arrival times from the NOAA/NCEI database, showing the earliest recorded location per country. Coverage is incomplete: a country without an entry was not necessarily spared.
- 0:00 hEarthquake (origin) · Jun 17, 1973, 3:55 AM UTC
- 9:50 hCanada · Tofino (Clayoquot),British Columbia · 0.03 m
1 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 61 | 5.96 m Fureshima | — | — |
 Russia | 2 | 1.50 m Shikotan Island, Kurilskiye | — | — |
 United States | 5 | 0.15 m Kahului, Maui, Hi | — | — |
| USA Territory | 1 | 0.05 m Pago Pago, American Samoa | — | — |
 Canada | 1 | 0.03 m Tofino (Clayoquot),British Columbia | — | 9:50 h |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 70Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fureshima · Hokkaido | 5.96 m | 31 km | Japan |
| Mochirippu · Hokkaido | 4.50 m | 66 km | Japan |
| Ponporoto · Hokkaido | 4.50 m | 52 km | Japan |
| Hichirippu · Hokkaido | 4.00 m | 65 km | Japan |
| Tofutsu · Hokkaido | 4.00 m | 54 km | Japan |
| Ochiishiko · Hokkaido | 2.94 m | 23 km | Japan |
| Hanasaki · Hokkaido | 2.80 m | 21 km | Japan |
| Kiritappumizutoriba · Hokkaido | 2.50 m | 56 km | Japan |
| Tokotan · Hokkaido | 2.50 m | 79 km | Japan |
| Hamanaka · Yamagata | 2.25 m | 56 km | Japan |
| Kiritappu · Hokkaido | 2.20 m | 56 km | Japan |
| Konbumori (Nemuro) · Hokkaido | 2.00 m | 20 km | Japan |
| Senposhi · Hokkaido | 2.00 m | 90 km | Japan |
| Habomai · Hokkaido | 1.70 m | 15 km | Japan |
| Goyomaiko · Hokkaido | 1.63 m | 19 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.