Historical tsunamis · Oct 12, 1963, 11:27 AM UTC
1963 S. Kuril Islands tsunami
Russia
The tsunami of Oct 12, 1963, 11:27 AM UTC originated near S. Kuril Islands (Russia).
Key facts
- Date
- Oct 12, 1963, 11:27 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.1
- Depth
- 48 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 0.12 m
- Observation records
- 3
- Countries affected
- 2
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake at a depth of 48 km.
The highest documented water height was 0.12 m (Tomakomainishiko, Japan).
3 observation sites in 2 countries are recorded.
Map of observation sites
3Each dot is a documented observation site; colour and size show the observed water height. The triangle marks the source.
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Japan | 2 | 0.12 m Tomakomainishiko | — | — |
| Russia | 1 | 0.05 m Iturup Island, Kurilskiye | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
3 / 3Individual documented observations for this event. Heights come from different measurement types and sources; not every location has a measured height.
| Location / station | Observed height | Distance from source | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomakomainishiko · Hokkaido | 0.12 m | 650 km | Japan |
| Hanasaki · Hokkaido | 0.09 m | 324 km | Japan |
| Iturup Island, Kurilskiye · Kuril Islands | 0.05 m | 150 km | Russia |
More tsunamis
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Historical Tsunami Database. Confirmed events only. Deaths and damage are database estimates; older records are incomplete. Water heights come from different types of observation.