1963 Kuril Islands earthquake

1963 Kuril Islands earthquake

October 13 October 20
Date	October 13, 1963 (1963-10-13)
Magnitude	8.5 Mw
Depth	47 km
Epicenter	44°49′N 149°32′E / 44.81°N 149.54°E / 44.81; 149.54Coordinates: 44°49′N 149°32′E / 44.81°N 149.54°E / 44.81; 149.54
Areas affected	Soviet Union
Tsunami	yes

The 1963 Kuril Islands earthquake occurred at 05:17 UTC, on October 13.^[1] The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.5 and was followed by a M_w=7.8 event seven days later.^[2] Both earthquakes triggered tsunamis that were observed around the northern part of the Pacific ocean.

Tectonic setting

The Kuril Islands form part of the island arc formed above the subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate is being subducted beneath the Eurasian Plate. This convergent boundary has been the site of many large megathrust earthquakes.

Damage

No damage, deaths or injuries are recorded for these two earthquakes or their associated tsunamis.

Characteristics

Earthquake

The earthquake was made up of three sub events, each of which is interpreted to represent the rupture of an asperity roughly 50 km in length along the subduction interface.^[3]

Tsunami

The tsunami triggered by the earthquake of October 13, caused a 4.5 m wave locally. The tsunami was also observed in Canada, Japan, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, California and on many islands across the northern Pacific Ocean. The tsunami associated with the October 20 event was larger in the local area with a maximum recorded run-up of 15 m at Urup, but was only observed in the western part of the northern Pacific.^[4]

References