Historical tsunamis · Mar 21, 1982, 2:32 AM UTC
1982 Hokkaido Island tsunami
Japan
The tsunami of Mar 21, 1982, 2:32 AM UTC originated near Hokkaido Island (Japan).
Key facts
- Date
- Mar 21, 1982, 2:32 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M6.9
- Depth
- 44 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 1.30 m
- Deaths
- 110
- Injuries
- 100
- Damage
- US$ 1.0 million
- Observation records
- 31
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake at a depth of 44 km.
The highest documented water height was 1.30 m.
31 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 110 deaths.
Damage is estimated at US$ 1.0 million.
Map of observation sites
31Each 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) · Mar 21, 1982, 2:32 AM UTC
- 1:02 hJapan · Hiroo · 0.14 m
1 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 31 | 0.78 m Urakawa | — | 1:02 h |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 31Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urakawa · Hokkaido | 0.78 m | 34 km | Japan |
| Samani · Hokkaido | 0.40 m | 48 km | Japan |
| Erimo · Hokkaido | 0.33 m | 78 km | Japan |
| Hachinohe (Kensetsukyoku) · Aomori | 0.30 m | 196 km | Japan |
| Shoyagyoko · Hokkaido | 0.30 m | 79 km | Japan |
| Seppu · Hokkaido | 0.28 m | 26 km | Japan |
| Hachinohe · Aomori | 0.26 m | 193 km | Japan |
| Hakodate · Hokkaido | 0.20 m | 144 km | Japan |
| Higashishizunai · Hokkaido | 0.20 m | 17 km | Japan |
| Horoizumi · Hokkaido | 0.20 m | 67 km | Japan |
| Moriko · Hokkaido | 0.20 m | 146 km | Japan |
| Harutachi · Hokkaido | 0.18 m | 17 km | Japan |
| Tokachiko · Hokkaido | 0.18 m | 82 km | Japan |
| Tomakomainishiko · Hokkaido | 0.16 m | 81 km | Japan |
| Tomihama · Hokkaido | 0.15 m | 47 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.