The Chūetsu earthquake killed at least 68 people and caused US$40 billion in losses, making it the second costliest natural disaster in history at the time.
Key Facts
- Death toll
- At least 68 killed
- JMA seismic intensity
- Shindo 7 (maximum)
- Modified Mercalli intensity
- XI–XII (Extreme)
- Houses damaged
- More than 131,600 across four prefectures
- Houses collapsed
- 17,700 partially or fully collapsed
- Economic losses
- US$40 billion
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake resulted from reverse faulting beneath Niigata Prefecture in central Japan, a seismically active region. The fault rupture generated intense ground shaking that reached the maximum JMA seismic intensity level of Shindo 7, indicating violent shaking capable of causing severe structural damage across a wide area.
On 23 October 2004 at 17:56 JST, the Chūetsu earthquake struck Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The shock produced Modified Mercalli intensities of XI–XII and caused widespread destruction throughout Niigata, with additional damage and injuries reported in Fukushima, Gunma, Saitama, and Nagano Prefectures.
At least 68 people died, including 52 whose deaths were attributed to disaster-related illnesses and stress. Over 131,600 houses were damaged and 17,700 partially or fully collapsed. Economic losses reached US$40 billion, making it the second costliest natural disaster in recorded history at the time of the event.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 68 (earthquake)