Number of tsunamis in United States

United States: Number of tsunamis was 3 events in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
3 events
Change on year
up 50.0%
World rank
2nd
of 38 countries
All-time high
4 events
in 1952
All-time low
1 events
in 1700
Years of data
87
1700–2024

Number of tsunamis in United States, 1700–2024

1234170018622024

Source: National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in events.

Analysis

United States recorded 3 events for number of tsunamis in 2024.

That represents a change of up 50.0% on the previous year and up 50.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, number of tsunamis in United States peaked at 4 events in 1952 and was at its lowest, 1 events, in 1700.

That places United States 2nd out of 38 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1700s 1 events 1 events 1 events 1
1780s 2 events 2 events 2 events 1
1810s 1 events 1 events 1 events 2
1820s 1 events 1 events 1 events 1
1840s 1 events 1 events 1 events 2
1850s 1.25 events 1 events 2 events 4
1860s 1.5 events 1 events 2 events 4
1870s 1.5 events 1 events 2 events 4
1880s 1.33 events 1 events 2 events 3
1890s 1.25 events 1 events 2 events 4
1900s 1 events 1 events 1 events 8
1910s 1 events 1 events 1 events 3
1920s 1.67 events 1 events 2 events 3
1930s 1.33 events 1 events 2 events 3
1940s 1.67 events 1 events 3 events 3
1950s 2 events 1 events 4 events 6
1960s 2.33 events 1 events 4 events 3
1970s 1 events 1 events 1 events 5
1980s 1.6 events 1 events 3 events 5
1990s 1.75 events 1 events 3 events 4
2000s 1.5 events 1 events 2 events 6
2010s 1.86 events 1 events 3 events 7
2020s 2.2 events 1 events 4 events 5

Countries ranked near United States

  1. 1 Tonga 4 events compare
  2. 2 Japan 3 events compare
  3. 4 Brazil 2 events compare
  4. 4 Greenland 2 events compare
  5. 4 Indonesia 2 events compare
  6. 4 Italy 2 events compare
  7. 4 New Caledonia 2 events compare
  8. 4 New Zealand 2 events compare
  9. 4 Portugal 2 events compare

See the full ranking of 38 places →

More reference data data for United States

All data for United States →

Frequently asked questions

What is number of tsunamis in United States?
Number of tsunamis in United States was 3 events in 2024, according to National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest number of tsunamis recorded in United States?
The highest recorded value was 4 events in 1952.
What is the lowest number of tsunamis recorded in United States?
The lowest recorded value was 1 events in 1700.
How does United States rank for number of tsunamis?
United States ranks 2nd out of 38 countries with data for 2024.
Is number of tsunamis rising or falling in United States?
Over the last ten years it is up 50.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this United States data come from?
The figures come from National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of tsunamis. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 87 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator
Number of tsunamis
Unit
events
Source
National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
38 places, 1,068 data points, 1026–2024
Last refreshed