Historical tsunamis · 869
869 Sanriku tsunami
Japan
The tsunami of 869 originated near Sanriku (Japan).
Key facts
- Date
- 869
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M8.6
- Maximum documented water height
- —
- Deaths
- 1,000
- Houses destroyed
- many (about 101–1,000)
- Damage
- extreme (over US$ 25 million)
- Observation records
- 5
- Countries affected
- 1
It was triggered by a magnitude 8.6 earthquake.
5 observation sites in 1 countries are recorded.
The database records 1,000 deaths.
Houses destroyed: many (about 101–1,000).
Damage is estimated at extreme (over US$ 25 million).
Map of observation sites
5Each 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 | 5 | — | 1,000 | — |
Highest documented water heights
5 / 5Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iwaki · Fukushima | — | 301 km | Japan |
| Iwashiro · Wakayama | — | 928 km | Japan |
| Rikuchu · Iwate | — | 208 km | Japan |
| Sendai · Miyagi | — | 243 km | Japan |
| Shiogama · Miyagi | — | 246 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.