What are the 3 biggest tsunami?

The top three worst tsunamis in history are the Sumatran tsunami of 2004, the Tōhoku tsunami in 2011, and the Lisbon earthquake and tsunami in 1755. Often, the worst tsunamis are not the largest. But, in these instances, waves reached incredible heights of more than 150 feet.

oceaninfo.com - 8 of the Worst Tsunamis in History - Ocean Info

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Below, readers can explore the history of the world’s deadliest tsunamis. Each was the result of high, sometimes record-breaking, magnitude earthquakes. They reached over 150 feet and caused incalculable damage and loss of lives.

Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami – December 26th, 2004

Height: 164 feet or 50 meters

Effect: Hundreds of thousands of deaths, thousands displaced from their homes, and billions of dollars in damage.

Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami damage

On December 16th, 2004, in Sumatra, Indonesia, what has commonly been considered the worst tsunami in history occurred. It was the result of a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of the country. The tsunami that resulted from the earthquake was 50 m, or 164 feet, tall and reached around five kilometers or three miles inland. This terrible natural disaster led to the deaths of around 230,000 people and cost around $10 billion in damage.

Tōhoku Tsunami, Japan – March 11th, 2011

Height: 32 feet (10 meters)

Effect: Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, thousands of deaths, and billions of dollars in damage

City of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture after tsunami

Credit: Mitsukuni Sato

On March 11th, 2011, one of the worst tsunamis in recorded history hit the coast of Japan. The waves were recorded at 32 feet or 10 meters in height and traveling at around 500 miles per hour. The earthquake that caused this immense tsunami lasted for six minutes. It is commonly referred to as the “Great East Japan Earthquake.” It was the fourth most powerful earthquake recorded since modern record-keeping began in the 1900s. Terrifyingly, residents in the affected area only had a few minutes of warning to escape from the impact zone of the wave. Even then, evacuation sites were heavily impacted, some of which were completely washed away. In 2021, official reports registered 19,747 deaths, with 2,556 people reported missing. The earthquake and resulting tsunami also caused the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Three of its reactors melted down, and radioactive discharge was released. This affected thousands of residents in the area and led to further evacuations. The earthquake resulted in the loss of somewhere between $14.5 to $34.6 billion. It is often referred to as the most expensive natural disaster in history.

Lisbon Earthquake and Tsunami — November 1st, 1755

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Height: between 20 and 65 feet (6 and 20 meters)

Effect: Wide-ranging fires, thousands of deaths, the birth of seismology

Allegory of the 1755 Earthquake by Joao Glama Stroberle inspired by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake On November 1, 1755, an earthquake occurred off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal. It resulted in a tsunami and fires. The surrounding cities, including Lisbon, were almost completely destroyed. Today, seismologists suggest that the earthquake occurred at a magnitude of 7.7 or more. The epicenter was around 200 km, or 120 miles, west southwest of Cape Saint Vincent. The death toll was estimated to be between 12,000 and 50,000 people. Today, it is considered to be one of the deadliest earthquakes and tsunamis in history. Interestingly, the earthquake and resulting disasters inspired European enlightenment philosophers who wrote and speculated upon the natural disaster for years. It also led to the birth of seismology and, later, modern earthquake engineering.

Krakatoa Eruption and Tsunami — May 20th, 1883

Height: up to 150 feet (46 meters)

Effect: Thousands of deaths, destruction of Krakatoa, a volcanic winter

1888 lithograph of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa

The famous eruption of Krakatoa off the coast of Indonesia resulted in a deadly earthquake and tsunami. It began on May 20th and lasted until August 27th. Around 70% of the island of Krakatoa and the surrounding islands were destroyed. The eruption itself is considered one of the most destructive volcanic events in recorded history. It was heard up to 1,900 miles away in Western Australia. At least 36,000 deaths are attributed to the eruption and the tsunami that resulted. Terrifyingly, ships as far away as South Africa were impacted by the tsunami. Waves as high as 46 meters, or 150 feet, were recorded.

Meiō Earthquake and Tsunami — September 20th, 1498

Height: up to 56 feet (17 meters)

Effect: Between 5,000 and 41,000 deaths and the destruction of the building that housed the Great Buddha at Kōtoku-in

Meiō earthquake and tsunami map

Credit: Lincun

The Meiō earthquake occurred off the coast of Nankaidō, Japan, on September 20th, 1498. Today, seismologists estimate that the earthquake had a magnitude of 8.6. The death toll associated with this horrifying natural disaster ranges from 5,000 up to 41,000 casualties. Famously, the resulting tsunami destroyed the building that housed the Great Buddha at t Kōtoku-in, although the statue itself survived.

Hōei Earthquake and Tsunami – October 28th, 1707

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Height: up to 82 feet (25 meters)

Effect: Loss of 5,000 lives, possibly the last eruption of Mount Fuji

Hōei Earthquake intensity map

Credit: Lincun

The Hōei earthquake was considered the largest earthquake in Japanese history until 2011. In combination with the resulting tsunami, an estimated 5,000 lives were lost. Scientists have also speculated that it may have triggered the last eruption of Mount Fuji, which occurred 49 days later.

Sanriku Earthquake and Tsunamis — June 15th, 1896

Height: 125 feet (38 meters)

Effect: Two tsunamis, loss of at least 22,000 lives

The destruction caused by the Sanriku earthquake and tsunamis

On June 15th, 1896, an 8.5 magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Japan. It was one of the most destructive in Japanese history. It resulted in two tsunamis that destroyed up to 9,000 homes and took at least 22,000 lives. It broke the record height at the time, reaching 125 feet or around 38 meters.

Arica Earthquake and Tsunami – August 13th, 1868

Height: 39 feet (12 meters) and 52 feet (16 meters)

Effect: 25,000 casualties, destruction of ships and towns

Damage to Arica’s main square after the earthquake

Credit: USMC Archives

On August 13th, 1868, an earthquake somewhere between 8.5 and 9.0 hit the coast of Chile. Multiple tsunamis were produced recorded as far away as Hawaii, Japan, and Australia. The earthquake and resulting tsunamis caused around 25,000 casualties and destroyed numerous ships. Three ships anchored along the coast were carried around 800 meters or 2,600 feet inland. Several others were completely destroyed.

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oceaninfo.com - 8 of the Worst Tsunamis in History - Ocean Info

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