1997 Kamchatka earthquake
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  | |
| UTC time | 1997-12-05 11:26:53 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 1056468 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | December 5, 1997 |
| Local time | 23:26:53 PETT |
| Magnitude | Mw 7.7 |
| Depth | 33 km |
| Epicenter | 54°50′28″N 162°02′06″E / 54.841°N 162.035°E |
| Max. intensity | MMI VII (Very strong)[1] |
The 1997 Kamchatka earthquake, or 1997 Kronotsky earthquake, occurred on December 5 at 11:26 UTC near the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula.[2] It was an Mw 7.7 (7.6–7.8) earthquake and was felt with intensity MM V in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy. A 60 cm (23.6 in) tsunami was recorded in Kahului, 47 cm (18.5 in.) in Hilo, and 15 cm (6 in.) in Unalaska. The local tsunami generated by this earthquake affected a mostly unpopulated region. A post-tsunami survey found runup (height above normal sea level) on the Kronotsky Peninsula was no more than a few meters.[3] However, a later geological survey north of the peninsula, as well as an interview with a park ranger, indicate that runup was up to 8 meters (26 ft) along the coast near the Little and Big Chazhma rivers and north to the Storozh River.[4]
Deformation during and after this earthquake was measured by GPS.[5] There were significant foreshocks, and also an apparently independent rupture along the southern border of the primary rupture.[6]