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World Tsunami Awareness Day: Remembering the world's deadliest Tsunamis in pics

Every year on November 5, the world observes World Tsunami Awareness Day to raise awareness about the dangers of tsunamis and emphasise the importance of early warning systems, preparedness, and community resilience.

arushi-jaiswal
Edited By: Arushi Jaiswal @JaiswalArushi
Updated: November 05, 2025 12:16 IST
World Tsunami Awareness Day, observed every year on November 5, aims to raise awareness about tsunami risks and the importance of preparedness and early warning systems. Established by the United Nations in 2015, the day emphasises that timely preparation can save lives.
1/10 Image Source : AP
World Tsunami Awareness Day, observed every year on November 5, aims to raise awareness about tsunami risks and the importance of preparedness and early warning systems. Established by the United Nations in 2015, the day emphasises that timely preparation can save lives.
The word
2/10 Image Source : AP
The word "tsunami" comprises the Japanese words "tsu" (meaning harbour) and "nami" (meaning wave). A tsunami is a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance usually associated with earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean.
The 2025 theme,
3/10 Image Source : AP
The 2025 theme, "Be Tsunami Ready: Invest in Tsunami Preparedness," focuses on strengthening community planning, infrastructure, and education to reduce the impact of tsunamis, especially as rising sea levels from climate change heighten global risks.
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The deadliest tsunami in history occurred on December 26, 2004, off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, following a 9.1-magnitude earthquake, the third-largest since 1900. The disaster produced waves reaching 167 feet that surged up to 3 miles inland, devastating 17 countries across Southeast and South Asia as well as parts of Africa. It claimed around 230,000 lives, displaced 1.3 million people, and caused an estimated USD 13 billion in damage.
4/10 Image Source : AP
The deadliest tsunami in history occurred on December 26, 2004, off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, following a 9.1-magnitude earthquake, the third-largest since 1900. The disaster produced waves reaching 167 feet that surged up to 3 miles inland, devastating 17 countries across Southeast and South Asia as well as parts of Africa. It claimed around 230,000 lives, displaced 1.3 million people, and caused an estimated USD 13 billion in damage.
On November 1, 1755, Lisbon was struck by a devastating 8.5-magnitude earthquake that began with a horrible subterranean noise and shook the city for six minutes. The quake triggered massive fires that raged for five days and generated tsunami waves nearly 100 feet high, striking the coasts of Spain and western Portugal. According to Hakai Magazine, the quake’s energy was equivalent to 32,000 Hiroshima bombs, with tremors felt as far away as Scotland and Brazil. The combined impact of the earthquake, fires, and tsunami killed around 50,000 people across Portugal, Morocco, and Spain.
5/10 Image Source : AP
On November 1, 1755, Lisbon was struck by a devastating 8.5-magnitude earthquake that began with a horrible subterranean noise and shook the city for six minutes. The quake triggered massive fires that raged for five days and generated tsunami waves nearly 100 feet high, striking the coasts of Spain and western Portugal. According to Hakai Magazine, the quake’s energy was equivalent to 32,000 Hiroshima bombs, with tremors felt as far away as Scotland and Brazil. The combined impact of the earthquake, fires, and tsunami killed around 50,000 people across Portugal, Morocco, and Spain.
In 1883, the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia triggered one of the most catastrophic tsunamis in history. According to the Global Historical Tsunami Database, around 34,417 people lost their lives, including 2,000 deaths directly caused by the volcanic eruption itself.
6/10 Image Source : AP
In 1883, the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia triggered one of the most catastrophic tsunamis in history. According to the Global Historical Tsunami Database, around 34,417 people lost their lives, including 2,000 deaths directly caused by the volcanic eruption itself.
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In 1498, a massive 8.3-magnitude earthquake in Japan's Enshu-nada Sea triggered devastating tsunami waves, according to a 2013 AGRIS paper. The disaster claimed the lives of around 31,000 people. The tsunami's force deposited large amounts of sediment and debris, blocking the mouth of the Hamana River, which led to the decline and eventual abandonment of the port town of Hashimoto due to severe developmental setbacks.
7/10 Image Source : AP
In 1498, a massive 8.3-magnitude earthquake in Japan's Enshu-nada Sea triggered devastating tsunami waves, according to a 2013 AGRIS paper. The disaster claimed the lives of around 31,000 people. The tsunami's force deposited large amounts of sediment and debris, blocking the mouth of the Hamana River, which led to the decline and eventual abandonment of the port town of Hashimoto due to severe developmental setbacks.
On June 15, 1896, a powerful 8.3-magnitude earthquake in the Pacific Ocean triggered a massive tsunami off the coast of Sanriku, Japan. The waves devastated a 170-mile stretch of coastline, destroying entire communities and killing more than 27,000 people. The disaster remains one of Japan's deadliest and most destructive tsunamis in recorded history.
8/10 Image Source : Wikimedia Commons
On June 15, 1896, a powerful 8.3-magnitude earthquake in the Pacific Ocean triggered a massive tsunami off the coast of Sanriku, Japan. The waves devastated a 170-mile stretch of coastline, destroying entire communities and killing more than 27,000 people. The disaster remains one of Japan's deadliest and most destructive tsunamis in recorded history.
On August 13, 1868, two powerful 8.5-magnitude earthquakes struck Arica, in northern Chile, triggering a massive tsunami that lasted for three days and impacted the entire Pacific Rim. The waves travelled thousands of miles, reaching New Zealand and Australia after about 12 hours. The disaster resulted in approximately 25,000 deaths, making it one of the most devastating tsunamis of the 19th century.
9/10 Image Source : Wikimedia Commons
On August 13, 1868, two powerful 8.5-magnitude earthquakes struck Arica, in northern Chile, triggering a massive tsunami that lasted for three days and impacted the entire Pacific Rim. The waves travelled thousands of miles, reaching New Zealand and Australia after about 12 hours. The disaster resulted in approximately 25,000 deaths, making it one of the most devastating tsunamis of the 19th century.
On March 11, 2011, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Honshu Island, Japan, making it the fourth-largest earthquake ever recorded. The resulting 100-foot-high tsunami killed around 18,482 people, displaced 450,000, and caused an estimated USD 360 billion in economic losses. The disaster also severely damaged the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, leading to radioactive leaks and core reactor meltdowns, marking one of the worst nuclear crises in history.
10/10 Image Source : AP
On March 11, 2011, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Honshu Island, Japan, making it the fourth-largest earthquake ever recorded. The resulting 100-foot-high tsunami killed around 18,482 people, displaced 450,000, and caused an estimated USD 360 billion in economic losses. The disaster also severely damaged the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, leading to radioactive leaks and core reactor meltdowns, marking one of the worst nuclear crises in history.
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