Historic Tsunami

1963 Russia Tsunami

13 October 1963 · South Kuril Islands · Russia

On 13 October 1963 at 05:17 UTC, a tsunami formed near South Kuril Islands, Russia. It was caused by a magnitude 8.5 earthquake. Waves reached up to 4.5 m high. It was observed at 91 locations in 9 countries or territories, up to 10,610 km from its source.

Date

13 October 1963

Time

05:17 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

8.5

Highest Wave

4.5 m

Observation Sites

91

Furthest Reach

10,610 km

Source Country

Russia

Triggering Earthquake

1963 Kuril Islands Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

Number of observations, highest wave and deaths in each country.

• 10Russia · 4.5 m
• 51Japan · 1.4 m
• 4Mexico · 0.5 m
• 20United States of America · 0.4 m
• 1Marshall Islands, Rep. Of · 0.2 m
• 2Canada · 0.2 m
• 1Kiribati · 0.1 m
• 1Federated States of Micronesia · 0.1 m
• 1Taiwan · 0.1 m

Highest Waves

• 4.5 mUrup Island, Kurilskiye · Russia · 169 km
• 4.0 mIturup Island, Kurilskiye · Russia · 182 km
• 1.5 mBurevestnik, Iturup I., Kurilskiye · Russia · 173 km
• 1.4 mHabomai Island · Japan · 359 km
• 1.4 mMoshi · Japan · 846 km
• 1.3 mAndo · Japan · 887 km
• 1.2 mHorinai (Miyako) · Japan · 864 km
• 1.2 mMalokuril'Skaya Bay, Shikotan · Russia · 258 km
• 1.1 mKanehama · Japan · 865 km
• 1.1 mTaro (Tarocho) · Japan · 853 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2006South Kuril Islands, Russia · 21.9 m
• 1994South Kuril Islands, Russia · 10.4 m11 deaths
• 1973Hokkaido Island, Japan · 6.0 m
• 1963South Kuril Islands, Russia · 15.0 m
• 1938East Hokkaido Island, Japan · 0.9 m1 deaths
• 1918South Kuril Islands, Russia · 12.0 m23 deaths

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Tsunami Database (doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7) · Natural Earth