Historical tsunamis · May 26, 1983, 2:59 AM UTC
1983 Noshiro, Japan tsunami
Japan
The tsunami of May 26, 1983, 2:59 AM UTC originated near Noshiro, Japan (Japan).
Key facts
- Date
- May 26, 1983, 2:59 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.8
- Depth
- 24 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 14.9 m
- Deaths
- 104
- Injuries
- 324
- Houses destroyed
- 3,513
- Damage
- US$ 800 million
- Observation records
- 233
- Countries affected
- 4
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake at a depth of 24 km.
The highest documented water height was 14.9 m (Minehama, Japan).
233 observation sites in 4 countries are recorded.
Outside the source country, the earliest documented arrival was at Ulleung-Do Island (South Korea) after 1:18 h.
The database records 104 deaths.
Houses destroyed: 3,513.
Damage is estimated at US$ 800 million.
Map of observation sites
233Each 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) · May 26, 1983, 2:59 AM UTC
- 1:18 hSouth Korea · Ulleung-Do Island · 0.63 m
4 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 214 | 14.9 m Minehama | 47 | — |
 Russia | 12 | 6.00 m Tikhaya Bay | — | — |
 South Korea | 6 | 5.00 m Ulleung-Do Island | — | 1:18 h |
 China | 1 | 0.40 m Lusi (Shanghai) | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 233Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minehama · Akita | 14.93 m | 80 km | Japan |
| Takefu (Noshiro) · Fukui | 12.70 m | 566 km | Japan |
| Kamaya · Akita | 6.60 m | 84 km | Japan |
| Hokkaido (S.) · Hokkaido | 6.10 m | 369 km | Japan |
| N. Honshu · Nagano | 6.10 m | 505 km | Japan |
| Hachimorigyoko · Akita | 6.00 m | 78 km | Japan |
| Noshirokohatsudensho · Akita | 6.00 m | 82 km | Japan |
| Tikhaya Bay · Primorsky | 6.00 m | 660 km | Russia |
| Jusanko-Tenboudai · Aomori | 5.80 m | 121 km | Japan |
| Nyudozaki · Akita | 5.00 m | 72 km | Japan |
| Toga · Akita | 5.00 m | 77 km | Japan |
| Ulleung-Do Island | 5.00 m | 787 km | South Korea |
| Hamada · Shimane | 4.80 m | 80 km | Japan |
| Aonaetodaishita · Okushiri Is, Hokkaido | 4.60 m | 179 km | Japan |
| Gomyoko · Akita | 4.50 m | 85 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.