Historical tsunamis · Sep 5, 1971, 6:35 PM UTC
1971 Tatar Strait tsunami
Russia
The tsunami of Sep 5, 1971, 6:35 PM UTC originated near Tatar Strait (Russia).
Key facts
- Date
- Sep 5, 1971, 6:35 PM UTC
- Cause
- Earthquake
- Magnitude
- M7.3
- Depth
- 18 km
- Maximum documented water height
- 2.00 m
- Damage
- limited (under US$ 1 million)
- Observation records
- 29
- Countries affected
- 2
It was triggered by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake at a depth of 18 km.
The highest documented water height was 2.00 m (Gornozavodsk, Sakhalin, Russia).
29 observation sites in 2 countries are recorded.
Damage is estimated at limited (under US$ 1 million).
Map of observation sites
29Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 13 | 2.00 m Gornozavodsk, Sakhalin | — | — |
 Japan | 16 | 0.32 m Wakkanai | — | — |
Highest documented water heights
15 / 29Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gornozavodsk, Sakhalin · Sakhalin | 2.00 m | 50 km | Russia |
| Shebunino, Sakhalin · Sakhalin | 2.00 m | 52 km | Russia |
| Moneron Island · Sakhalin | 1.50 m | 28 km | Russia |
| Krasnogorsk, Sakhalin · Sakhalin | 1.00 m | 219 km | Russia |
| Chekhov, Sakhalin · Sakhalin | 0.50 m | 118 km | Russia |
| Orlovo, Sakhalin · Sakhalin | 0.50 m | 263 km | Russia |
| Pensenskoe, Sakhalin · Sakhalin | 0.50 m | 169 km | Russia |
| Nevelsk, Sakhalin · Sakhalin | 0.40 m | 54 km | Russia |
| Kholmsk, Sakhalin · Sakhalin | 0.37 m | 89 km | Russia |
| Wakkanai · Hokkaido | 0.32 m | 130 km | Japan |
| Iwanaiko · Hokkaido | 0.30 m | 398 km | Japan |
| Funadomari · Hokkaido | 0.26 m | 122 km | Japan |
| Oshoro · Hokkaido | 0.26 m | 371 km | Japan |
| Haboroko · Hokkaido | 0.20 m | 244 km | Japan |
| Furubira · Hokkaido | 0.19 m | 365 km | Japan |
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.