Historical tsunamis · Sep 25, 2003, 7:50 PM UTC
2003 Hokkaido Island tsunami
Japan
The tsunami of Sep 25, 2003, 7:50 PM UTC originated near Hokkaido Island (Japan).
Key facts
- Date
- Sep 25, 2003, 7:50 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M8.3
- Depth
- 27 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 4.40 m
- Deaths
- 2
- Injuries
- 849
- Damage
- US$ 90 million
- Observation records
- 268
- Countries affected
- 4
It was triggered by a magnitude 8.3 earthquake at a depth of 27 km.
The highest documented water height was 4.40 m (Mabiro, Japan).
268 observation sites in 4 countries are recorded.
Outside the source country, the earliest documented arrival was at Adak, Sweeper Cove, Ak (United States) after 4:20 h.
The database records 2 deaths.
Damage is estimated at US$ 90 million.
Map of observation sites
268Each 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) · Sep 25, 2003, 7:50 PM UTC
- 0:15 hJapan · Akkeshi · 1.14 m
- 4:20 hUnited States · Adak, Sweeper Cove, Ak · 0.04 m
- 5:00 hUSA Territory · Midway Islands · 0.03 m
35 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 245 | 4.40 m Mabiro | 2 | 0:15 h |
 United States | 17 | 0.20 m Kahului, Maui, Hi | — | 4:20 h |
 Canada | 5 | 0.05 m Winter Harbor, British Columbia | — | — |
| USA Territory | 1 | 0.03 m Midway Islands | — | 5:00 h |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 268Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mabiro · Hokkaido | 4.40 m | 154 km | Japan |
| Mabiro · Hokkaido | 4.30 m | 154 km | Japan |
| Banseionsen · Hokkaido | 4.10 m | 87 km | Japan |
| Hamataiki · Hokkaido | 4.00 m | 83 km | Japan |
| Horokayantou · Hokkaido | 4.00 m | 86 km | Japan |
| Mabiro · Hokkaido | 4.00 m | 154 km | Japan |
| Oikamanai · Hokkaido | 4.00 m | 89 km | Japan |
| Hyakuninhama · Hokkaido | 3.90 m | 58 km | Japan |
| Hyakuninhama · Hokkaido | 3.90 m | 58 km | Japan |
| Hyakuninhama · Hokkaido | 3.90 m | 58 km | Japan |
| Hyakuninhama · Hokkaido | 3.80 m | 58 km | Japan |
| Hyakuninhama · Hokkaido | 3.60 m | 58 km | Japan |
| Cyosetsunuma · Hokkaido | 3.50 m | 96 km | Japan |
| Cyosetsunuma · Hokkaido | 3.50 m | 97 km | Japan |
| Hamataiki · Hokkaido | 3.40 m | 83 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.