Historic Tsunami

1997 Russia Tsunami

5 December 1997 · Kamchatka · Russia

On 5 December 1997 at 11:26 UTC, a tsunami formed near Kamchatka, Russia. It was caused by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Waves reached up to 8.0 m high. It was observed at 19 locations in 4 countries or territories, up to 8,065 km from its source.

Date

5 December 1997

Time

11:26 UTC

Cause

Earthquake

Earthquake Magnitude

7.8

Highest Wave

8.0 m

Observation Sites

19

Furthest Reach

8,065 km

Source Country

Russia

Triggering Earthquake

1997 Kamchatka Earthquake

Countries and Territories Reached

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

• 6Russia · 8.0 m
• 11United States of America · 0.3 m
• 1Japan · 0.1 m
• 1Vanuatu

Highest Waves

• 8.0 mChazma R., Kamchatka · Russia · 34 km
• 1.5 mKronotsky Peninsula, Cape Kozlova · Russia · 32 km
• 0.4 mSeismostation Kronoki · Russia · 63 km
• 0.3 mKahului, Maui, Hi · United States of America · 5,116 km
• 0.3 mHaleiwa, Oahu, Hi · United States of America · 4,961 km
• 0.3 mGms Cemlyachiki (Near Zhupanovo) · Russia · 155 km
• 0.2 mHilo, Hawaii, Hi · United States of America · 5,304 km
• 0.2 mHanalei, Kauai, Hi · United States of America · 4,827 km
• 0.2 mMakapuu Point, Oahu, Hi · United States of America · 5,011 km
• 0.1 mAdak, Sweeper Cove, Ak · United States of America · 1,453 km

Other Major Tsunamis in the Region

• 2025Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia · 17.0 m1 deaths
• 1996Karymskoye, Kamchatka, Russia · 30.0 m
• 1969Kamchatka, Russia · 15.0 m
• 1952Kamchatka, Russia · 23.0 m10,000 deaths
• 1923Kamchatka, Russia · 20.0 m18 deaths
• 1923Kamchatka, Russia · 8.0 m3 deaths

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