May 26, 1983 Tsunami: Noshiro, Japan

Name: May 26, 1983 Tsunami: Noshiro, Japan
Start: 1983-05-26
Location: Noshiro, Japan

May 26, 1983 · 14.93 m · 104 deaths · $800 million · 3,513 houses destroyed · Definite tsunami

A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake began at Noshiro, Japan on May 26, 1983 at 02:59:59 UTC. The water rose as high as 14.93 meters. Its effects were recorded at 236 places in at least 4 countries. It killed 104 people, counting the earthquake or eruption that caused it.

Where the waves reached

The source (white) and every runup with a place, colored by the water height recorded there. A ring is a runup NCEI marks doubtful.

Under 1 m
1 to 3 m
3 to 10 m
10 to 30 m
30 m and more
Height not recorded

Tsunami warnings in force

The tsunami

Date: May 26, 1983, 02:59:59 UTC
Source: Noshiro, Japan
Cause: Earthquake
Earthquake: Magnitude 7.8, 24 km deep
Maximum water height: 14.93 m (49.0 ft)
Runups recorded: 236
Tsunami intensity (Soloviev-Imamura): 2
Tsunami magnitude (Iida): 3.9
Waters: Ocean
How certain: Definite tsunami
Source location: 40.462° N, 139.102° E

The toll

Deaths: 100; 104 with the earthquake or eruption that caused it
Injuries: 324
Damage: $800 million
Houses destroyed: 3,513

Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

A magnitude 7.8 Mw (USGS) earthquake at 3:00 UT in the central region of the Sea of Japan, Nihonkai-Chubu, about 80 km off the west coast of Akita Perfecture, Honshu, Japan caused fatalities and injuries. One hundred fatalities were due to the tsunami, four from the earthquake in Japan. There was extensive damage to ships, roads and houses amounting to about 800 million dollars. (reference #1315)

The earthquake generated a tsunami that began striking the Japan coast approximately 12 minutes after the earthquake occurred. One hundred lives were lost as a consequence of the tsunami alone. The tsunami also caused significant flooding and property damage to coastal

regions. The tsunami affected the entire Japan Sea, hitting the surrounding coastline of the Korean Peninsula and the USSR. Three lives were lost in South Korea, when the wave arrived there approximately 1-1/2 hours after the earthquake... Clearly, most of the impact occurred north

of the Oga Peninsula, where a maximum run-up of 14.9 m was recorded... Significant wave run-up was also observed along the Korean coast... A maximum run-up of 3.2 m was followed by a run-down of -5.6 m [Port of Imweon]. Most of the impact of the tsunami in South Korea occurred between Imweon and Sogcho.. During the tsunami, 100 individuals were drowned, most of them at Noshiro, Hachimori, and the Oga Peninsula. These individuals were caught on the shoreline or on offshore construction sites. Tsunami

warnings were issued approximately 14 minutes after the earthquake occurred; however, the leading wave reached the shoreline at these locations at approximately the same time.

In Korea, three deaths were attributed to the tsunami. Since the tsunami reached the Korean shoreline approximately 1-1/2 hours after the earthquake occurred, these deaths could have been prevented... In Korea, over 70 ships were damaged by the tsunami... Many coastal flood protective structures were severely damaged during

the tsunami. For example, concrete armor units weighing 4 metric tons were moved hundreds of feet inland near the area of maximum run-up. In addition, many levees and seawalls were overtopped and damaged. These protective structures were designed for storm waves and were unable to accommodate the waves produced by the tsunami. (reference #149)

Every runup

Nearest the source first. Heights are above sea level at the time; a tide gauge reads half the wave’s full height.

Where	Country	Km from source	Water height, m	Inland, m	Measured by	First wave, UTC	Deaths
Nyudozaki	Japan	72	5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Fukaura	Japan	73	0.65		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Fukaura	Japan	73	3.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Toga	Japan	77	5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Hachimorigyoko	Japan	78	6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Oga	Japan	78	0.53		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)		13
Minehama	Japan	80	14.93		Eyewitness observation of water height
Furuyashiki	Japan	80	4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Hamada	Japan	80	4.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kitaurako	Japan	80	3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Noshiroko	Japan	81	1.94		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Kamoaosa	Japan	82	3.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Noshiroko (Noshiro City)	Japan	82	3.7		Eyewitness observation of water height		34
Noshirokohatsudensho	Japan	82	6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kamaya	Japan	84	6.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Gomyoko	Japan	85	4.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Monzen	Japan	86	4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Funagawako (Ogashi)	Japan	91	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Funagawako	Japan	92	0.68		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Ajigasawa Akaishigyoko	Japan	96	2.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Ajigasawagyoko	Japan	101	2.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Uchikohokutan	Japan	120	3.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Jusanko-Tenboudai	Japan	121	5.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Maegata	Japan	121	2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Jusankogyoko	Japan	122	4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Shitamaegyoko	Japan	122	1.9		Eyewitness observation of water height
Shimohama	Japan	126	3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kodomari	Japan	126	3.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Matsugasakigyoko	Japan	134	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Matsumae	Japan	135	2		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Matsumae (Oshimashicho)	Japan	138			Eyewitness observation of water height
Minmaya	Japan	139	0.19		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Eragyoko	Japan	141	1.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Koyoshigawakako	Japan	143	3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Yoshioka	Japan	146	0.96		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Ryozenji	Japan	149	1.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Fukushimagyoko	Japan	149	1.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Konoura	Japan	152	1.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kisakata	Japan	156	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Asamushi	Japan	157	0.26		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Wakimotogyoko	Japan	166	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Esashi	Japan	178	0.74		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Aonaeko	Japan	179	2.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Aonaetodaishita	Japan	179	4.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kaitorima	Japan	180	1.9		Eyewitness observation of water height
Aonaegawakako	Japan	181	1.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Sakata	Japan	182	0.82		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Monai	Japan	184	1.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Otobegyoko	Japan	188	1.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Akaishigyoko (Okushiri)	Japan	191	1.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kamuiwakigyoko	Japan	191	4.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Okushiriko	Japan	193	2.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Ominato	Japan	194	0.47		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Hakodate	Japan	195	0.51		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Toyohamagyoko	Japan	195	1.1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Sekinaigyoko	Japan	198	1.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kumaishigyoko	Japan	200	1.3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Nomanai	Japan	200	1.9		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kantahama	Japan	201	1.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Inahomisaki	Japan	202	1.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kudoko	Japan	204	1.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Hachinohe	Japan	206	0.1		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Kamiurako	Japan	206	1.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Nezugaseki	Japan	214	0.19		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Moriko	Japan	221	0.08		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Awashima	Japan	222	0.73		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Yamasedomarigyoko	Japan	224	0.25		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Moura	Japan	242	3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Seki	Japan	253	2.4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Iwafuneko	Japan	255	0.72		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Iwafuneko	Japan	255	1.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Harauta	Japan	257			Eyewitness observation of water height
Muroran	Japan	260	0.08		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Fujizukahama	Japan	270	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Ryotsuko	Japan	270	1.27		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Tarukishi	Japan	273	0.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tassha	Japan	274	1.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Niigatako (Higashi)	Japan	275	0.75		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Suttsu	Japan	276	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Niigatako (Nishi)	Japan	281	0.52		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Shimoto	Japan	282	0.9		Eyewitness observation of water height
Niigata-Yachiyobashi	Japan	283	0.4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Inakujira	Japan	287	0.35		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Aonaemisaki	Japan	289	3.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Ogi	Japan	302	0.36		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Iwanaiko	Japan	303	1.24		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Iwanaiko (Chikuko)	Japan	304	0.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tomari	Japan	312	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Teradomariko	Japan	314	0.59		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Kamoenai	Japan	317	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tomakomainishiko	Japan	320	0.09		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Kawashiragyoko	Japan	323	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Oshoro	Japan	338	0.35		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Kariwa-Genshiryokuhatsudensho	Japan	339	0.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Otaruko	Japan	341	0.17		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Hegurajima	Japan	346	1.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kashiwazakiko	Japan	347	1.06		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Ishikariwanshinko	Japan	357	0.61		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Urakawa	Japan	361	0.13		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Noroshiko	Japan	361	2.1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Orito	Japan	363	2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Wanizaki	Japan	367	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Hokkaido (S.)	Japan	369	6.1
Naoetsuko	Japan	371	0.78		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Iida (Suzu City)	Japan	372	0.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Ushitsuko	Japan	390	0.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Wajima	Japan	390	0.36		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Wajima	Japan	390	2.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Himekawagyoko	Japan	396	0.4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Anamizuko	Japan	407	0.3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tokachiko	Japan	408	0.11		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Maehamako	Japan	419	2.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Akasakiko	Japan	422	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Nanaoko	Japan	422	0.24		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Nanaoko (Nanao City)	Japan	422	0.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Togiko	Japan	423	1.4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Ikuji	Japan	423	0.1		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Saikaiko	Japan	425	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Fukuurako	Japan	428	1.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Fukuuraminamiko	Japan	428	1.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Takahamako	Japan	435	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Rumoiko	Japan	440	0.14		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Shibagakiko	Japan	440	0.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Himigyoko	Japan	440	0.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Toyama	Japan	441	0.2		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Fushikiko	Japan	444	0.19		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Toyamashinko	Japan	445	0.17		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Kanazawa	Japan	479	0.57		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Kanazawa	Japan	479	0.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Haboroko	Japan	484	0.54		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Valentine Bay	Russia	494	4.5
N. Honshu	Japan	505	6.1
Primorsky Coast	Russia	509			Eyewitness observation of water height
Kajigyoko	Japan	534	1.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Matsushima-Suizokukanmae	Japan	534	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Mikuni	Japan	534	0.36		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Mikuniko	Japan	538	0.4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Fukuiko	Japan	540	0.69		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Fukuiko (Mikunicho)	Japan	540	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Senposhigyoko	Japan	541	0.92		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Kutsugatako	Japan	550	0.67		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Sugogyoko	Japan	553	0.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Ayukawagyoko	Japan	555	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kunimishirahamagyoko	Japan	555	0.9		Eyewitness observation of water height
Mombetsu	Japan	556	0.15		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Ikuragyoko	Japan	565	0.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Takefu (Noshiro)	Japan	566	12.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Sougyoko	Japan	568	0.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Yotsugauragyoko	Japan	571	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Hirugagyoko	Japan	580	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Konogyoko	Japan	580	0.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Abashiri	Japan	582	0.12		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Wakkanai	Japan	589	0.24		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Tsurugako	Japan	597	0.56		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Tsurugako (Tsuruga City)	Japan	597	0.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Nukagyoko	Japan	611	0.3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tagarasugyoko	Japan	618	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Yashirogyoko	Japan	618	0.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kyogamisaki	Japan	620	0.3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tsushimagyoko	Japan	624	0.3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Takano	Japan	629	0.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tai	Japan	631	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Nohara	Japan	632	2.3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Maizuru	Japan	642	0.41		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Hamazume	Japan	644	1.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Miyazu	Japan	645	0.59		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Maizuru (Suirobu)	Japan	648	0.53		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Asahi	Japan	650	1.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tsuiyama	Japan	652	0.54		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Gornostai Bay	Russia	659	4	300	Eyewitness observation of water height
Paris Bay, Russky Island	Russia	660	0.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Zhidkov Bay, Russky Island	Russia	660	1.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tikhaya Bay	Russia	660	6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kasumigyoko	Japan	664	0.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Ayax Bay, Russky Island	Russia	664	1.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Vladivostok (Golden Horn Bay)	Russia	667	0.33		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Fuse	Japan	681	1.4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Iibi	Japan	683	1.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Sakhalin	Russia	684	0.4
Yuzhno-Kuril'Sk, Kunashir Island	Russia	684	2.7
Tajiri	Japan	685	0.11		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Tajiriko	Japan	685	0.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Ajiroko	Japan	686	0.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Iwadoko	Japan	688			Eyewitness observation of water height
Nakamura	Japan	689	2.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Saigo	Japan	691	0.48		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Omosu	Japan	692	1.8		Eyewitness observation of water height
Fukuura	Japan	693			Eyewitness observation of water height
Yui	Japan	696	2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tottoriko	Japan	697			Eyewitness observation of water height
Tsudo	Japan	699	2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kamo	Japan	701	1.4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Sakenotsuko	Japan	704	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Funaisoko	Japan	707	0.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Aoyakaigan	Japan	708	0.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tomariko	Japan	712	0.9		Eyewitness observation of water height
Suwawan	Japan	714	1.3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Posyet Bay	Russia	716	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Funakoshiunga	Japan	720	2.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Chibu	Japan	724	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Otsukako	Japan	727	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Akasakiko	Japan	728	0.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Araigawakako	Japan	728	0.3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Yabase-Kaisuiyokujo	Japan	728	0.4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Misakiko	Japan	730	1.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Nakayama	Japan	731	0.3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Shikotan Island, Kurilskiye	Russia	732	4.2
Nawa	Japan	737	0.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Karubi	Japan	744	2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Yodoe	Japan	745	0.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Kumozu	Japan	746	3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tsushimagyoko (Kasumicho)	Japan	747	0.5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Shichirui	Japan	749	1.3		Eyewitness observation of water height
Horikawako	Japan	749	0.6		Eyewitness observation of water height
Sakai	Japan	749			Eyewitness observation of water height
Sakai	Japan	749	0.42		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Sakai	Japan	749	0.4		Eyewitness observation of water height
Okidomari	Japan	754	1.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Konami	Japan	755	1.7		Eyewitness observation of water height
Mitsu	Japan	763	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Etomo	Japan	768	1		Eyewitness observation of water height
Ulleung-Do Island	South Korea	782	0.63		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)	day 26, 04:17
Ulleung-Do Island	South Korea	787	5		Eyewitness observation of water height
Tonoura	Japan	875	0.4		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Mukho	South Korea	923	1		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)	day 26, 04:35
Samcheok	South Korea	927	2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Sokcho	South Korea	939	0.78		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)	day 26, 04:43
Hagi	Japan	953	0.3		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Pohang	South Korea	981	0.31		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)	day 26, 04:52
Shimonoseki	Japan	1,022	0.11		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Hakata	Japan	1,084	0.1		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Izuhara	Japan	1,111	0.29		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Lusi (Shanghai)	China	1,817	0.4		Tide gauge (half the maximum wave height)
Imwon to Sokcho	South Korea		3.2		Eyewitness observation of water height
Sea of Japan Coast	Russia		8		Eyewitness observation of water height
All of South Korea	South Korea				Eyewitness observation of water height		3

Every tsunami in 1983 The 1900s Tsunamis of Japan The earthquake This day in weather history Alerts in force

Sources

Tsunami events and runups from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI tsunami event 2142.