Tsunamis in Taiwan
A total of 2 tidal waves classified as a tsunami since 1781 have killed 281 people in Taiwan. Tsunamis therefore occur only rarely here.The strongest tidal wave registered in Taiwan so far reached a height of 30 meters. On 04/01/1781, only 1 person died by this tsunami.
The biggest impact in terms of lifes, injuries, destroyed homes and the economy had been a tsunami on 12/18/1867. A tidal wave of up to 15 meters killed 280 humans and destroyed vast areas.
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Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes or other seismic eruptions on ground of an oceans and can cause massive tidal waves, which run with enormous force on land, causing great devastation. Especially in regions with only few tsunamis, the damage is often drastic, as the population does not expect tsunamis and thus hardly takes any protective measures. Even relatively small flood waves can lead to high losses and financial damage.
The marked positions on the map represent the most affected regions within the past 250 years.
The marked positions on the map represent the most affected regions within the past 250 years.
The largest tsunamis in Taiwan since 1781
| Date | Cause | Max. tidal wave | Fatalities | Total damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/18/1867 | Earthquake in Taiwan (E. China Sea) with a magnitude of 7.0. | 15 m | 280 | |
| 04/01/1781 | Eruption in Taiwan (Kaohsiung) | 30 m | 1 |
These evaluations are based on data from the Global Historical Tsunami Database of the National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA, and World Data Service (NGDC/WDS), doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Individual data have been summarized or translated.
Most severe natural disasters worldwide
Recent earthquakes and their magnitudes in Taiwan
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