Historical tsunamis · Oct 18, 1995, 10:37 AM UTC
1995 Ryukyu Islands tsunami
Japan
The tsunami of Oct 18, 1995, 10:37 AM UTC originated near Ryukyu Islands (Japan).
Key facts
- Date
- Oct 18, 1995, 10:37 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.1
- Depth
- 28 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 2.59 m
- Injuries
- 1
- Damage
- limited (under US$ 1 million)
- Observation records
- 42
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake at a depth of 28 km.
The highest documented water height was 2.59 m (Urabaru, Kikai Island, Japan).
42 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
Damage is estimated at limited (under US$ 1 million).
Map of observation sites
42Each 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 | 42 | 2.59 m Urabaru, Kikai Island | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 42Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urabaru, Kikai Island · Kagoshima | 2.59 m | 44 km | Japan |
| Kowase, Amami Island · Kagoshima | 2.38 m | 80 km | Japan |
| Sekko, Amami Island · Kagoshima | 2.34 m | 82 km | Japan |
| Kamikatetsu, Kikai Island · Kagoshima | 2.29 m | 44 km | Japan |
| Keraji, Kikai Island · Kagoshima | 1.43 m | 44 km | Japan |
| Shiro, Amami Island · Kagoshima | 1.41 m | 81 km | Japan |
| Shishioke, Kikai Island · Kagoshima | 1.40 m | 49 km | Japan |
| Soumachi, Kikai Island · Kagoshima | 1.37 m | 48 km | Japan |
| Kominato, Amami Island · Kagoshima | 1.35 m | 76 km | Japan |
| Kodama, Amami Island · Kagoshima | 1.07 m | 80 km | Japan |
| Ishi, Amami Island · Kagoshima | 1.06 m | 78 km | Japan |
| Aden, Kikai Island · Kagoshima | 0.85 m | 45 km | Japan |
| Araki, Kikai Island · Kagoshima | 0.80 m | 48 km | Japan |
| Onotsu, Kikai Island · Kagoshima | 0.65 m | 50 km | Japan |
| Sakamine, Kikai Island · Kagoshima | 0.65 m | 49 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.