1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake

1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake
Date 5 November 1952
Magnitude 9.0 Mw [1]
Epicenter 52°18′N 161°00′E / 52.3°N 161.0°E / 52.3; 161.0Coordinates: 52°18′N 161°00′E / 52.3°N 161.0°E / 52.3; 161.0 [1]
Max. intensity XI (Extreme) [1]
Tsunami 18 m (59 ft) [2]
Casualties 2,336 dead

The 1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake was a 9.0 Mw earthquake that struck off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The earthquake triggered a major tsunami that hit Severo-Kurilsk, Kuril Islands, Sakhalin Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR, on 5 November 1952 at about 5 a.m. This led to the destruction of many settlements in Sakhalin Oblast and Kamchatka Oblast, while the main impact struck the town of Severo-Kurilsk.

The tsunami was generated by a major earthquake in the Pacific Ocean, 130 kilometers (81 mi) from the shore of Kamchatka, with an estimated magnitude of 9.0. There were three waves about 15–18 meters (49–59 ft) high. After the earthquake the majority of the Severo-Kurilsk citizens fled to the surrounding hills, where they escaped the first wave. However, most of them returned to the town and were killed by the second wave. The third wave was minor. According to the authorities, out of a population of 6,000 people, 2,336 died. The remaining survivors were evacuated to continental Russia. The settlement was then rebuilt in another location.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Utsu, T. R. (2002), "A List of Deadly Earthquakes in the World: 1500–2000", International Handbook of Earthquake & Engineering Seismology, Part A, Volume 81A (First ed.), Academic Press, p. 706, ISBN 978-0124406520
  2. ↑ USGS (September 4, 2009), PAGER-CAT Earthquake Catalog, Version 2008_06.1, United States Geological Survey, archived from the original on March 28, 2015

Sources

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