Norio Hasegawa

Report on the Damages due to the Niigata Earthquake

At 13h02m, June 16, 1964, a severe earthquake occurred with its epicenter near Awa, Island, 70km to NE of Niigata City. Damages were caused by the earthquake in Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures. Especially, in Niigata City, the damages were severe. Large amount of sand and water jetted out from silt and sand layers about -3--9 m from the surface and as its result many concrete buildings were slanted in various degrees. Tsunami raided into the area near the mouth of the Shinano, so that many houses and factories were flooded and areas near the river course were inundated. Some agricultural land and rural settlements were destroyed. But the damages were limited in old river courses and reclaimed lands of back marshes.