M9.0 Earthquake and Tsunami – Kamchatka, Russia, 4th November 1952

The Kamchatka Tsunami was generated by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake on November 4, 1952, in East Russia.  The local tsunami, which generated waves as high as 50 feet, caused extensive damage to the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands, and left an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people dead.  Waves traveled as far as Peru, Chili and New Zealand, but the largest damage to other areas of the Pacific Ocean occurred in the Hawaiian Islands.   In Alaska, the Aleutian Islands and California, tsunami waves of up to 4.6 feet were observed.

The Hawaiian Islands suffered the greatest tsunami damage outside of the local area. Damage was estimated at $17 million (2011 USD), and included a great deal of damage to shorelines and infrastructure, including destruction of a small bridge connecting to Coconut Island to the shore. The highest waves were observed on the north shore of Oahu Island; they were nearly 15 feet in height.

In the settlement of Severo-Kurilsk in Russia, three waves between 50 and 60 feet hit the shore. Most inhabitants fled to higher ground before the first wave, but many returned to town before the second wave hit. Thirty nine percent (39%) of the townspeople died as a result of the tsunami. The settlement was eventually rebuilt in a different location.

Tsunami waves can have extremently long wavelengths, and can arrive on shore hours apart. Emergency preparedness professionals now advise evacuees to stay away until they receive official word that it is safe to return.

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