Stuff You Missed in History Class SYMHC Classics: Orphan Tsunami
Jan 27, 2024
Discover the little-known tsunami that hit Japan in 1700 and the centuries it took to connect it to the underlying earthquake. Explore historical documentation and the Orphan Tsunami, compare the 2011 tsunami to other storms, and delve into evidence of past earthquakes and ghost forests. Stay tuned for the latest episodes and sponsored ads from Bank of America, Papa Murphy's, and the Bridge Access program for COVID-19 vaccines.
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Orphan Tsunami Mystery
- Japan had a well-established link between earthquakes and tsunamis by 1700, so the 1700 flood puzzled many because no local quake was felt.
- That confusion led the event to be called the "Orphan Tsunami" until later research connected it to a distant quake.
Japanese Records Describe The Wave Path
- Contemporary Japanese records trace the tsunami path from Kawagasaki south to Tanabe and note varying damage and heights.
- Reported crests ranged roughly 2–5 meters and caused fires, lost cargo, and destroyed coastal crops and houses.
Cascadia Oral Traditions Recall Disaster
- Native oral traditions in Cascadia preserve stories of shaking and flooding that align with a major quake and tsunami.
- Tales like Thunderbird versus Whale and specific family survivor stories likely recount the 1700 event.