Most Damaging Tsunamis in the Pacific Basin

By ChrisMunoz

  • 1707 Hōei Tsunami

    Location: Hōei, Japan
    Magnitude: 8.6
    Death Toll: Approximately 5,000

  • Lisbon Tsunami

    Location: Lisbon, Portugal (impacted Atlantic but relevant due to tsunami studies)
    Magnitude: Estimated between 8.5 and 9.0
    Death Toll: Approximately 60,000

  • 1868 Arica Tsunami

    Location: Arica, Peru (now part of Chile)
    Magnitude: 9.0
    Death Toll: Approximately 25,000

  • 1883 Krakatoa Eruption and Tsunami

    Location: Krakatoa, Indonesia
    Magnitude: Volcanic eruption (Volcanic Explosivity Index 6)
    Death Toll: Approximately 36,000

  • 1946 Aleutian Islands Tsunami

    Location: Aleutian Islands, Alaska
    Magnitude: 8.6
    Death Toll: Approximately 165

  • 1960 Valdivia Tsunami

    Location: Valdivia, Chile
    Magnitude: 9.5
    Death Toll: Approximately 1,655
  • Period: to

    Indian Ocean Tsunami

    Location: Indian Ocean (Sumatra, Indonesia)
    Magnitude: 9.1
    Death Toll: Approximately 230,000

  • 2007 Solomon Islands Tsunami

    Location: Solomon Islands
    Magnitude: 8.1
    Death Toll: Approximately 52

  • 2009 Samoa Tsunami

    Location: Samoa
    Magnitude: 8.1
    Death Toll: Approximately 189

  • 2010 Maule Tsunami

    Location: Maule, Chile
    Magnitude: 8.8
    Death Toll: Approximately 525

  • 2011 Tōhoku Tsunami

    Location: Tōhoku, Japan
    Magnitude: 9.0
    Death Toll: Approximately 15,894