Historical tsunamis · Feb 3, 1605
1605 Nankaido tsunami
Japan
The tsunami of Feb 3, 1605 originated near Nankaido (Japan).
Key facts
- Date
- Feb 3, 1605
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.9
- Maximum documented water height
- 10.0 m
- Deaths
- 5,000
- Houses destroyed
- 700
- Damage
- severe (about US$ 5–25 million)
- Observation records
- 10
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake.
The highest documented water height was 10.0 m (Cape Muroto, Japan).
10 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 5,000 deaths.
Houses destroyed: 700.
Damage is estimated at severe (about US$ 5–25 million).
Map of observation sites
10Each 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 | 10 | 10.0 m Cape Muroto | 1,209 | — |
Highest documented water heights
10 / 10Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Muroto · Kochi | 10.00 m | 77 km | Japan |
| Sakihama · Kochi | 10.00 m | 77 km | Japan |
| Awa · Tokushima | 7.00 m | 121 km | Japan |
| Kannoura · Kochi | 6.00 m | 81 km | Japan |
| Shishikui · Tokushima | 6.00 m | 83 km | Japan |
| Tomoura · Tokushima | 5.00 m | 82 km | Japan |
| Hiro · Kanagawa | — | 118 km | Japan |
| Kyushu Island · Kumamoto | — | 364 km | Japan |
| Misaki · Wakayama | — | 93 km | Japan |
| Susaki | — | 156 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.