Top 10 Largest Tsunamis Ever Recorded in History

Tsunamis are some of the most devastating and awe-inspiring natural disasters the world has ever known. Triggered by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides, these giant sea waves can travel thousands of miles and wreak havoc on coastlines within minutes or hours. The sheer force of a tsunami can obliterate entire towns, submerge islands, and leave a lasting impact on generations. Throughout history, a few tsunamis have stood out due to their enormous size, deadly impact, and global attention. In this article, we dive into the top 10 largest tsunamis ever recorded, looking at what caused them, how high the waves were, and what they left in their wake.

1. Lituya Bay, Alaska – 1958 (Wave Height: 1,720 feet)

The Lituya Bay Megatsunami holds the record for the tallest tsunami wave ever recorded in history. On July 9, 1958, a massive landslide triggered by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake sent millions of cubic meters of rock into Lituya Bay in Alaska. The impact displaced so much water that a tsunami wave surged to an astonishing height of 1,720 feet.

  • The wave snapped trees over 1,700 feet up the mountainside
  • Two fishing boats were caught in the wave; one survived
  • Caused by a landslide into a narrow bay, amplifying the force
  • Only five deaths were reported due to the remote location
  • Serves as a case study for landslide-generated tsunamis

Though not as deadly as others on this list, the sheer scale of the Lituya Bay wave remains unmatched.

2. Indian Ocean Tsunami – 2004 (Wave Height: Up to 100 feet)

On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.1–9.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering one of the most catastrophic tsunamis in modern history. Waves as high as 100 feet devastated countries across the Indian Ocean.

  • More than 230,000 lives lost in 14 countries
  • Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand were worst hit
  • Tsunami traveled over 3,000 miles, even reaching Africa
  • Over 1.7 million people displaced
  • Resulted in the establishment of a regional tsunami warning system

The Indian Ocean Tsunami is remembered not just for its scale but for its heartbreaking human toll.

3. Tōhoku Tsunami – Japan, 2011 (Wave Height: 133 feet)

Triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake on March 11, 2011, the Tōhoku Tsunami was one of the most powerful and destructive in Japan’s history. The waves reached up to 133 feet and swept miles inland.

  • Nearly 20,000 people dead or missing
  • Over 450,000 displaced
  • Caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster
  • Economic losses estimated at $235 billion
  • Prompted massive changes in Japan’s energy and disaster policies

This event highlighted the vulnerability of even highly prepared nations to large-scale natural disasters.

4. Krakatoa Eruption Tsunami – Indonesia, 1883 (Wave Height: Up to 120 feet)

The eruption of the Krakatoa volcano in August 1883 caused one of the most violent explosions ever recorded. It triggered a series of tsunamis with waves reportedly reaching up to 120 feet, devastating the surrounding coastal regions.

  • Over 36,000 people killed
  • Entire coastal towns and villages were wiped out
  • Ash cloud affected global climate and sunsets for years
  • Triggered by the collapse of the volcano into the ocean
  • Generated waves that traveled across the Indian Ocean

This disaster remains a chilling example of how volcanic activity can produce deadly tsunamis.

5. Chile Tsunami – 1960 (Wave Height: Up to 82 feet)

Following the 9.5-magnitude Valdivia Earthquake, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded, a massive tsunami swept across the Pacific Ocean. The waves reached heights of 82 feet in some areas, destroying entire communities.

  • Over 1,600 deaths in Chile
  • Tsunami waves reached Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines
  • Destroyed infrastructure along Chile's coast
  • Caused additional fatalities in distant countries
  • Prompted international coordination for tsunami monitoring

The 1960 Chilean tsunami is notable for its global reach and long-lasting impact on tsunami science.

6. Sanriku Tsunami – Japan, 1896 (Wave Height: Up to 125 feet)

On June 15, 1896, a powerful undersea earthquake triggered the Sanriku Tsunami, which slammed into the northeast coast of Japan. Despite a relatively moderate quake, the tsunami waves reached up to 125 feet.

  • More than 22,000 people were killed
  • Coastal villages were completely destroyed
  • Occurred during local festivals, increasing casualties
  • Caught the population off guard due to weak shaking
  • Led to better understanding of tsunami-generating earthquakes

This tsunami taught scientists that even mild ground shaking can produce deadly waves when conditions are right.

7. Lisbon Tsunami – Portugal, 1755 (Wave Height: Estimated 65 feet)

On November 1, 1755, All Saints’ Day, a massive earthquake off the coast of Portugal triggered a devastating tsunami that hit Lisbon. The quake, fires, and waves destroyed much of the city and killed tens of thousands.

  • Estimated 60,000 to 100,000 deaths
  • Tsunami reached North Africa and the Caribbean
  • Large ships were hurled into city streets
  • Occurred during religious celebrations, worsening the tragedy
  • Influenced the development of modern seismology and philosophy

The Lisbon tsunami played a key role in reshaping European intellectual thought and urban planning.

8. Papua New Guinea Tsunami – 1998 (Wave Height: Up to 49 feet)

On July 17, 1998, an undersea landslide triggered by a moderate earthquake off the coast of Papua New Guinea generated a tsunami that caught the region completely off guard.

  • More than 2,100 people killed
  • Several villages completely wiped out
  • Wave heights reached up to 49 feet
  • Little to no warning issued beforehand
  • Prompted research into landslide-generated tsunamis

This tsunami demonstrated how even moderate quakes can cause severe destruction through secondary effects like underwater landslides.

9. Ryukyu Islands Tsunami – Japan, 1771 (Wave Height: Estimated 278 feet)

The Ryukyu Islands Tsunami struck on April 24, 1771, after a powerful earthquake in the Yaeyama Islands of Japan. It generated massive waves that reportedly reached an incredible height of 278 feet, devastating the island of Ishigaki.

  • Over 12,000 people were killed
  • Major flooding and destruction of agricultural land
  • Evidence of wave height based on boulders pushed inland
  • One of the tallest tsunami waves in historical records
  • Serves as a key historical reference for Japanese disaster planning

This event left behind geological evidence still studied by scientists today.

10. Aleutian Islands Tsunami – Alaska, 1946 (Wave Height: Up to 115 feet)

On April 1, 1946, an earthquake near the Aleutian Islands in Alaska generated a tsunami that severely impacted the Hawaiian Islands and parts of the U.S. West Coast.

  • 165 deaths, most in Hawaii
  • Hilo was one of the hardest-hit towns
  • Wave heights reached up to 115 feet
  • Led to the creation of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
  • Waves reached as far as South America and New Zealand

This tsunami revolutionized how warnings are issued and highlighted the need for early detection systems.

Conclusion

Tsunamis represent one of nature’s most terrifying forces. From towering waves in remote Alaska to global tragedies like the Indian Ocean and Japan disasters, these events show how unpredictable and destructive our planet can be. Whether triggered by earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions, tsunamis have shaped history and geography across continents. Understanding their causes, characteristics, and historical significance not only honors the lives lost but also helps prepare future generations to stay informed, vigilant, and protected against one of nature’s most powerful threats.