Historical tsunamis · Dec 15, 1971, 8:29 AM UTC
1971 Kamchatka tsunami
Russia
The tsunami of Dec 15, 1971, 8:29 AM UTC originated near Kamchatka (Russia).
Key facts
- Date
- Dec 15, 1971, 8:29 AM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.8
- Depth
- 33 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 0.47 m
- Observation records
- 12
- Countries affected
- 3
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake at a depth of 33 km.
The highest documented water height was 0.47 m (Ust'kamchatsk, Kamchatka, Russia).
12 observation sites in 3 countries are recorded.
Map of observation sites
12Each dot is a documented observation site; colour and size show the observed water height. The triangle marks the source.
Tsunami arrival times
Documented arrival times from the NOAA/NCEI database, showing the earliest recorded location per country. Coverage is incomplete: a country without an entry was not necessarily spared.
- 0:00 hEarthquake (origin) · Dec 15, 1971, 8:29 AM UTC
- 0:20 hRussia · Ust'kamchatsk, Kamchatka · 0.47 m
1 places with a documented arrival time
Observations by country
| Country | Observation records | Maximum documented water height | Deaths | Earliest arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 2 | 0.47 m Ust'kamchatsk, Kamchatka | — | 0:20 h |
 United States | 8 | 0.10 m Hilo, Hawaii, Hi | — | — |
| USA Territory | 2 | 0.10 m Apra Harbor, Guam | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
12 / 12Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ust'kamchatsk, Kamchatka · Kamchatka | 0.47 m | 67 km | Russia |
| Apra Harbor, Guam · Gu Classified as doubtful | 0.10 m | 4,988 km | USA Territory |
| Hilo, Hawaii, Hi · Hi | 0.10 m | 5,302 km | United States |
| Honolulu, Oahu, Hi · Hi | 0.10 m | 5,004 km | United States |
| Kahului, Maui, Hi · Hi | 0.10 m | 5,116 km | United States |
| Nawiliwili, Kauai, Hi · Hi | 0.10 m | 4,866 km | United States |
| Severo-Kurilsk, Paramushir Island · Kuril Islands | 0.10 m | 760 km | Russia |
| Attu, Massacre Bay, Ak · Ak | 0.09 m | 732 km | United States |
| Shemya Island, Ak · Ak | 0.09 m | 790 km | United States |
| Wake Island · Um | 0.09 m | 4,084 km | USA Territory |
| Adak, Sweeper Cove, Ak · Ak | 0.05 m | 1,390 km | United States |
| Unalaska, Dutch Harbor, Ak · Ak | 0.01 m | 1,932 km | United States |
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.