On April 24, 1771 CE, a destructive tsunami struck the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. According to the NOAA/NCEI Global Historical Tsunami Database, the event was associated with an earthquake and resulted in severe impacts to the region, including extreme water heights and a high number of fatalities.
Event Characteristics and Measurements
The historical record documents key parameters of the 1771 event, capturing both the underlying seismic trigger and the resulting wave heights:
- Event Date: April 24, 1771 CE
- Location: Ryukyu Islands, Japan (Latitude 24.0, Longitude 124.3)
- Associated Earthquake Magnitude: 7.4
- Maximum Water Height: 85.4 meters
- Validity: 4 (indicating definite tsunami occurrence)
Impact and Casualties
The tsunami caused catastrophic loss of life across the affected area. Official historical tabulations record a total of 13,486 deaths resulting from the event. The maximum recorded water height reached 85.4 meters, illustrating the extreme scale of inundation experienced locally during the disaster.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Ryukyu Islands tsunami occur?
The tsunami occurred on April 24, 1771 CE.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake associated with the tsunami?
The associated earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4.
What was the maximum water height recorded for the 1771 Ryukyu Islands tsunami?
The maximum recorded water height was 85.4 meters.
How many fatalities were recorded from the event?
The historical database records 13,486 deaths.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.