2003 Tokachi earthquake
USGS ShakeMap | |
Kushiro Map showing the epicenter of the mainshock | |
| UTC time | 2003-09-25 19:50:06 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 7134409 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 26 September 2003 |
| Local time | 04:50:06 JST (UTC+9) |
| Magnitude | 8.0 MJMA 8.3 Mw |
| Depth | 27 km (17 mi) |
| Epicenter | 41°47′N 143°52′E / 41.78°N 143.86°E |
| Type | Megathrust |
| Areas affected | Hokkaido, Iwate and Aomori Prefectures, Japan |
| Total damage | ¥213 billion (US$1.9 billion, equivalent to $3.32 billion in 2025) |
| Max. intensity | JMA 6− (MMI IX) |
| Peak acceleration | 1.11 g 1,091 Gal |
| Tsunami | 4.4 m (14 ft) |
| Landslides | Yes |
| Aftershocks | 181 ≥Mw 4.0 Strongest: Mw 7.4 |
| Casualties | 2 fatalities (1 indirect), 849 injuries, 1 missing |
The 2003 Tokachi earthquake, known in Japanese as the 2003 Tokachi-Oki earthquake (平成15年十勝沖地震, Heisei jūgo-nen Tokachi-Oki jishin), occurred off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan on 26 September at 04:50 local time (19:50 UTC 25 September). At a focal depth of 27 km (17 mi), this great undersea earthquake measured 8.3 on the moment magnitude scale, making it the most powerful earthquake of 2003, as well as one of the most intense earthquakes to hit Japan since modern record-keeping began in 1900.
The Hokkaido earthquake caused extensive damage, damaging roads all around Hokkaidō, and triggered power outages and extensive landslides. Over 800 people were injured. The earthquake also caused a tsunami reaching 4.4 metres (14 ft) in height.