Tsunami in Japan washes whales ashore

Greenland, 2017

The 2017 tsunami in Greenland was neither the deadliest nor the most destructive, but it was certainly one of the largest in history. The small island nation rarely sees tsunamis, but this one made quite an impression.

This megatsunami was caused by melting glaciers as a result of global warming. These disasters may start to affect the polar regions more and more as climate change continues to progress.

Alaska, 1958

This catapulted a wall of water 1,720 feet (525 m) into the air. The event killed five people in total. Two unlucky souls happened to be on a boat in Lituya Bay when it happened, while the others were on the shore of Khantaak Island.

Indonesia, 1674

The wave reached the coastal hills of the Hitu Peninsula on Ambon Island, which tells us that the tsunami peaked at a height of around 328 feet (100 m).

Italy, 1963

On October 9, 1963, the entire slope collapsed into the dam, sending up a wall of water that reach 770 feet (235 m). The tsunami washed away several villages in Piave valley within a matter of 15 minutes.

Japan, 1896

In 1896, the northern tip of Japan’s mainland was hit by a monumental wave that was reportedly more than 120 feet (38 m) high. It was generated off the coast of Sanriku following a 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

A Shinto holiday was being celebrated in Japan when the tsunami hit. It killed an estimated 20,000 people and destroyed 11,000 homes. The wave was so powerful that some of the victims were noted to have broken bones.

Japan, 2011

Japan has been the location of many of the most severe earthquakes and tsunamis in history. One of the more recent ones was made all the more dangerous because it occurred in the region surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. When a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast, it sent a 30-foot (10-m) wave traveling towards the shore at a terrifying 500 miles (800 km) per hour.

Chile, 1868

In 1868, an earthquake with a magnitude of around 9.0 hit the coast of Chile. The earthquake triggered multiple waves that struck Chile, and others that traveled as far as Hawaii, Japan, and Australia.

Japan, 1707

The Pacific coast of Japan was devastated by a historical tsunami again in 1707. This one was caused by an 8.3 magnitude earthquake and triggered 80-feet (25-m) high waves to hammer against the coastlines of Kyushyu, Shikoku, and Honshin. Osaka was also damaged by the powerful waves.

Japan, 1498

Another of Japan’s most famous tsunamis occurred in 1498. It hit the Nankaidō coastline following an 8.3 magnitude earthquake. The resulting waves were so strong that they breached a sandspit that had previously separated Lake Hamana from the ocean, turning it into a lagoon.

Indonesia, 1883

Indonesia was the site of yet another destructive tsunami back in 1883. This time, it was caused by the infamous volcano Krakatau. A particularly violent eruption caused several waves of more than 100 feet (over 30 m) in height to batter the coastline, demolishing the towns of Anjer and Merak.

Portugal, 1755

In 1755, a historically huge earthquake struck Portugal, sending a calamitous tsunami to destroy much of the country’s west coast. Three huge waves reportedly came one after the other, reaching as high as 100 ft (30 m) in some places. The terrible tsunami hit Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, killing an estimated 60,000 people.

Indonesia, 2004

A 9.1 magnitude earthquake occurred approximately 20 miles (30 km) deep in the ocean at 8 am local time, off the west coast of Sumatra. The fault zone that caused the tsunami was estimated to be 800 miles (1,300 km) long, generating a wall of water 160 feet (50 m) tall.