Historical tsunamis · May 21, 1792
1792 Shimabara Bay, Kyushu Island tsunami
Japan
The tsunami of May 21, 1792 originated near Shimabara Bay, Kyushu Island (Japan).
Key facts
- Date
- May 21, 1792
- Cause
- Volcano, earthquake and landslide
- Magnitude
- M6.4
- Maximum documented water height
- 55.0 m
- Deaths
- 15,000
- Injuries
- 707
- Houses destroyed
- 6,200
- Damage
- severe (about US$ 5–25 million)
- Observation records
- 24
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake.
The highest documented water height was 55.0 m (Futsu, Japan).
24 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 15,000 deaths.
Houses destroyed: 6,200.
Damage is estimated at severe (about US$ 5–25 million).
Map of observation sites
24Each 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 | 24 | 55.0 m Futsu | 5,343 | — |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 24Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Futsu · Nagasaki | 55.00 m | 6 km | Japan |
| Kawachi, Kumamoto · Kumamoto | 23.40 m | 29 km | Japan |
| Ootao (Ohtao), Misumi · Kumamoto | 22.50 m | 22 km | Japan |
| Ootebaru, Ooyano Island · Kumamoto | 18.00 m | 20 km | Japan |
| Chikoozu · Kumamoto | 16.50 m | 30 km | Japan |
| Amakusa Islands · Nagasaki | 15.00 m | 29 km | Japan |
| Umedo (Umedoo) · Kumamoto | 14.90 m | 30 km | Japan |
| Shioya · Kumamoto | 14.70 m | 29 km | Japan |
| Oshimago, Ariake · Kumamoto | 12.30 m | 31 km | Japan |
| Mie, Shimabara · Nagasaki | 11.00 m | 7 km | Japan |
| Shirato, Ooyano Island · Kumamoto | 9.90 m | 20 km | Japan |
| Kyodomari, Yokoshima · Kumamoto | 9.60 m | 25 km | Japan |
| Seigenji, Nagasu · Kumamoto | 8.60 m | 25 km | Japan |
| Nagasu · Kumamoto | 5.70 m | 24 km | Japan |
| Dosaki · Nagasaki | 5.00 m | 8 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.