1983 Sea of Japan earthquake
| 日本海中部地震 | |
Felt intensities on the JMA scale, X marks epicenter | |
| UTC time | 1983-05-26 02:59:59 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 577008 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | May 26, 1983 |
| Local time | 11:59:57 |
| Duration | 60 seconds |
| Magnitude | 7.8 Mw |
| Depth | 24 km (15 mi) |
| Epicenter | 40°27′43″N 139°06′07″E / 40.462°N 139.102°E |
| Areas affected | Japan (Aomori Prefecture, Akita Prefecture) |
| Max. intensity | MMI VIII (Severe) JMA 5+ |
| Tsunami | yes |
| Casualties | 104 dead, 324 injured |
The 1983 Sea of Japan earthquake (Japanese: 日本海中部地震) occurred on May 26, 1983, at 11:59:57 local time (02:59:57 UTC). It had a magnitude of 7.8 on the moment magnitude scale. It occurred in the Sea of Japan, about 100 km west of the coast of Noshiro in Akita Prefecture, Japan. Out of the 104 fatalities, all but four were killed by the resulting tsunami, which struck communities along the coast, especially Aomori and Akita Prefectures and the east coast of Noto Peninsula. Images of the tsunami hitting the fishing harbor of Wajima on Noto Peninsula were broadcast on TV. The waves exceeded 10 meters (33 ft) in some areas. Three of the fatalities were along the east coast of South Korea (whether North Korea was affected is not known). The tsunami also hit Okushiri Island, the site of a more deadly tsunami 10 years later.