Natural Disasters in Japan

By mundy
  • Great Yaeyama Tsunami

    Great Yaeyama Tsunami

    This tsunami was caused by the Yaeyama Great Earthquake (7.4 M's), and was southeast of the Ishigaki Island. This tsunami killed roughly 12,000 people.
  • Eruption of Mount Asama

    Eruption of Mount Asama

    Early in May of 1783 there were many small earthquakes and eruptions, which eventually led to Mount Asama erupting. This eruption destroyed many villages, causing over a thousand casualties.
  • Unzen Landslide and Tsunami

    Unzen Landslide and Tsunami

    During the end of 1791, there were a series of earthquakes on the western side of Mount Unzen. These earthquakes gradually shifted towards the city of Shimabara. On the night of May 21st 1792, a large earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 M's caused a landslide in the eastern side of Mount Unzen that destroyed Shimabara. The landslide then caused a tsunami. This event caused an estimated 15,000 deaths.
  • Sanriku Earthquake and Tsunami

    Sanriku Earthquake and Tsunami

    The 1896 Sanriku Earthquake was one of the most destructive earthquakes in Japanese history, with a magnitude of 8.5 M's. This earthquake occurred 166 kilometers off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, Honshu. The earthquake caused two tsunamis that reached a height of 38 meters. These tsunamis resulted in 9,000 destroyed homes and at least 22,000 deaths.
  • 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake

    1923 Great Kantō Earthquake

    The Great 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake had a magnitude of 8.0 M's. It occurred 60 km southwest of Tokyo. This natural disaster had caused an estimated 105,000-142,000 deaths. Tens of thousands went missing and over half of Tokyo was destroyed, leaving over 2 million citizens homeless.
  • 1934 Muroto Typhoon

    1934 Muroto Typhoon

    The Muroto Typhoon was formed on September 13th 1934, and dissipated on September 25th 1934. Muroto reached gusts up to 145mph, killing more than 3,000 people and leaving 200,000 people homeless.
  • 1945 Makurazaki Typhoon

    1945 Makurazaki Typhoon

    On September 17th 1945, the Makurazaki Typhoon hit the Kagoshima Prefecture, then moved north through Kyushu into Honshu. This Typhoon caused over 2,000 deaths, reaching wind speeds of 80mph.
  • 1959 Isewan Typhoon

    1959 Isewan Typhoon

    The Isewan Typhoon was a category 5 equivalent storm. This typhoon reached wind speeds of 190mph, killing more than 5,098 people.
  • Great Hanshin Earthquake

    Great Hanshin Earthquake

    The Great Hanshin Earthquake was a magnitude 6.9 earthquake. The trembles from this lasted 20 seconds, killing at least 5,000 people. Great Hanshin was Japan's second deadliest earthquake of the 20th century.
  • Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

    Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

    On March 11th, 2011 a 9.0 magnitude earthquake caused a massive tsunami, striking the northern-east coast of Japan. This catastrophe caused at least 20,000 deaths and $235 billion in damages.