1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake
The 1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake struck off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The 9.0 Mw earthquake triggered a major tsunami that hit Severo-Kurilsk, Kuril Islands, Sakhalin Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR, on 4 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. It was the sixth most powerful earthquake on record, and to date, the most powerful earthquake in Russian history.
The tsunami was generated by a major earthquake in the Pacific Ocean, from the shore of Kamchatka, with an estimated magnitude of 9.0. There were three waves about 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 survivors were evacuated to continental Russia. The settlement was then rebuilt in another location.
Earthquakes continue to happen in the area including a series of three M8 that occurred at ~60km depth on 25-27 March 2020.
