8 Worst Tsunami in Recorded History: Deadliest, Most Expensive, and More

A few weeks ago, a megathrust earthquake in Russia triggered a tsunami that spread to many areas along the Pacific. However, it was not destructive despite its powerful trigger. The world has witnessed more damaging waves. The top 8 worst tsunami in recorded history killed approximately 400,000 people.

Moreover, these tsunamis caused huge financial damage to affected areas. However, most of those deadly waves did not occur in the 20^th or the 21^st century. They took place a few hundred years ago. What are the 8 most devastating tsunamis in history?

List of the 8 Worst Tsunami in Recorded History

In the past, tsunamis often caused a large number of victims due to the lack of a tsunami warning system. Meanwhile, many tsunami-prone countries have been able to reduce death tolls because they now have advanced early warning systems.

However, it is not always easy for them to minimize financial loss due to the destructive power of a tsunami. Below is the list of the 8 worst tsunamis in history that killed thousands of people and caused enormous financial damage.

1. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

A devastating earthquake struck the Indian Ocean, near Aceh, at the end of December 2004. Less than half an hour after the 9.1-magnitude earthquake, a massive tsunami hit Aceh. 

Moreover, this tsunami reached many areas in South Asia and Southeast Asia within several hours. On average, the tsunami formed a wall of water reaching 15 to 30 m tall. This wave came in great force and destroyed many buildings and people. 

According to the report, over 240,000 people were dead or missing due to this disaster. That’s why people considered it the worst tsunami in recorded history.

2. The 1733 Lisbon Tsunami

In November 1733, offshore Lisbon was hit by a strong earthquake of up to 9 magnitude. This earthquake destroyed most buildings in Lisbon and other neighboring cities. Moreover, it generated a damaging tsunami afterward.  In Lisbon, the wave was approximately 6 m tall.

Moreover, the tsunami also affected other regions, such as Morocco, Cadiz, and Lagos. Almost 50,000 people died due to this earthquake and tsunami.

3. The 1883 Krakatoa Tsunami

Not all the top 3 worst tsunamis in history were due to undersea earthquakes. In 1883, a massive tsunami occurred in the Sunda Strait after an eruption of the volcanic island of Krakatoa. The tsunami inundated Java and Sumatra coastal areas at a depth of 40 m. 

The Krakatoa explosion in 1883 was exceptionally phenomenal. Its volcanic earthquake was so powerful that it destroyed most of the island and affected North Australia. Moreover, the Krakatoa Tsunami killed over 36,000 people.

4. The 1498 Enshunada Tsunami

The Enshunada Tsunami in 1498 is the oldest among the 8 worst tsunami in recorded history. The trigger of this deadly wave was a powerful earthquake with an epicenter offshore of Honshu.

This disaster caused 5,000 to 41,000 deaths and damaged many buildings in Kamakura. Moreover, the tsunami generated a new channel between Lake Hamana and the Pacific Ocean.

5. The 1896 Sanriku Tsunami

Japan suffered from another destructive tsunami in 1896. The Sanriku Tsunami occurred after an 8.5-magnitude earthquake. The first wave hit the Sanriku coast only half an hour later.

Moreover, its highest wave is approximately 38 m tall. The Sanriku Tsunami killed over 22,000 people and destroyed more than 8,800 houses. 

6. The 1868 Arica Chile Tsunami

Thirty years before the Sanriku Tsunami, a devastating tsunami occurred in Arica, Chile. The cause of this tsunami was an earthquake of 8.5 to 9.3 magnitude near the coast of Arica. This tsunami struck various regions along the Pacific, including Peru, Japan, Hawaii, and New Zealand.

The tsunami generated a 30-m wall of water in Arica. Moreover, the combination of the earthquake and tsunami killed more than 25,000 people and destroyed many areas in Chile and Peru. 

7. The 2011 Tohoku Tsunami

Among the 8 worst tsunami in recorded history, the most expensive one occurred in 2011 in Japan. A 9-magnitude earthquake triggered a 40-m tsunami in Tohoku that year. This wave also hit other coastal regions in Japan, Alaska, and Chile.

Over 19,700 people died due to this disaster. Moreover, it injured over 6,000 people and destroyed the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. According to the report, this tsunami cost Japan a financial loss of over USD 220 billion. 

8. The 1792 Shimabara Bay Tsunami

The 1792 Shimabara Bay Tsunami was the result of a volcanic eruption and landslide. Mount Unzen’s volcanic activities triggered large earthquakes that caused a part of its dome to collapse into the sea. 

After that, a wave as tall as 100 m hit Shimabara Bay. Due to the landslide and megatsunami, over 15,000 people were dead or missing. 

The 8 worst tsunami in recorded history caused a high number of casualties. However, governments can minimize this number if they use cell broadcasters in their TEWS. Visit the smsbroadcaster.com now and get this technology to improve your country’s tsunami warning system.