Kamchatka is a beautiful and mysterious region in the Far East of Russia. It is often mentioned in everyday life when describing distant objects. For example, all students know that the last desks in the class are called “Kamchatka”. However, this region is rich in attractions. It is constantly evolving, and tourists come here. Although many are frightened by rare but powerful earthquakes in Kamchatka.
Description of the region
The Kamchatka Peninsula is washed by the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk from the west and the Bering Sea from the east. It is connected to the mainland by a very thin isthmus, the width of which in some places is less than 100 km. The eastern part is very eroded, so deep bays and bays have formed. Here is the Kamchatka Territory of the same name, which is a subject of the Russian Federation.
Seismic environment
The region as a whole is quite stable, but an earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka is not uncommon. It belongs to one of the seismically active zones on the territory of the Russian Federation, but experts always carefully monitor the activity of the earth's crust and try to warn the population of the peninsula in advance about possible tremors. As a rule, all earthquakes occur at a distance of 30 to 150 kilometers east of the peninsula. However, sometimes the tremors are so powerful that they are strongly felt on the surface of the edge. Moreover, such underwater earthquakes are fraught with strong waves and tsunamis.
History knows that the consequences of an earthquake in Kamchatka can be very serious, therefore, the specialists of the Ministry of Emergencies and the leadership of the region are very serious in working to warn the population about possible earthquakes.
Geography
Many rivers flow along the peninsula, one of them, Kamchatka of the same name, is even suitable for shipping. These rivers are well known to rafting enthusiasts. Many connoisseurs of this extreme sport come here.
There are also many picturesque lakes, most of which are of tectonic origin. They were formed as a result of a shift in the tectonic plates of our planet. One of the consequences was probably the earthquake in Kamchatka.
One of the most famous places in Kamchatka is the Valley of Geysers, which is included in the list of seven wonders of Russia. Because of the largest landslide for several years, geysers ceased to exist, and many scientists said that this natural phenomenon would not revive anymore. But fortunately, this is not so. Heavy precipitation eroded the layers of mud from mudflows and now many believe that there are even more geysers than before this natural disaster.
Volcanoes
Volcanoes are one of the main attractions of the region. I must say that difficulties arise even with the determination of their quantity in the territory of Kamchatka. In various sources, figures vary from a few hundred to a thousand volcanoes.
About three dozen of them are very active and emit a huge amount of volcanic ash into the air. Earthquakes in Kamchatka are often the result of active volcanic activity.
The highest of them is Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Its height reaches 4750 m. Above sea level.
Earthquakes of the 18th-19th centuries
The first recorded earthquake in the records of historians and researchers of the region dates from October 1737. Judging by the description, then tsunami waves were also observed. Unfortunately, there is little written evidence of those events, since the region has just begun to develop.
At the end of the 18th century, earthquakes in Kamchatka resumed, as recorded in the catalog of the Russian Empire of the same name.
Since then there was little research, about these natural phenomena in the years 1791-1792 diverge. Some scientists believe that it was two different, unconnected earthquakes. And some argue that these were tremors from one strong. This fact, however, refutes the absence of any records of the tsunami wave, which should have been formed from shocks of such a force.
Around the middle of the 19th century, another major earthquake occurred. In the spring morning of May 18, 1841, the maximum magnitude of the shocks was 8.4, and they lasted about 15 minutes. Various damage to buildings was recorded, and some of them broke windows. Scientists also described the multiple rises and falls in the sea level.
XX century
The last century did not bring any special surprises - there was no calmer in Kamchatka. On February 3, 1923, the first major earthquake occurred, the result of which was a wave 8 meters high. There is evidence of several victims of the disaster. Two months later, it repeated, but with a slightly lower strength of the magnitude of the shocks.
The middle of the 20th century was marked by one of the most powerful and destructive earthquakes in Kamchatka. November 5, 1952 was the date of the modern catastrophe, which claimed the lives of thousands of civilians and wiped out the whole city of Severo-Kurilsk. The epicenter of the earthquake was only 20 kilometers from the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The strength was such that a huge tsunami wave grew almost instantly. Its height was 18 meters. The earthquake itself, although powerful, did not cause catastrophic damage. All tragedy erupted due to the power of water.
After the first wave, frightened residents left their homes. After the withdrawal of water, they began to come back. And that is what became a fatal mistake. About 20 minutes after the first wave came another, much more powerful and destructive. It was she who caused the majority of human casualties. After her came another, but she was weak.
This tragedy has become the main reason for the formation of a central tsunami warning system in the country.
Recent earthquakes
At the beginning of the XXI century, Kamchatka continues to suffer from seismic activity. In 2006, another earthquake occurred, but thanks to timely public information, victims were avoided. An emergency evacuation of about 1000 inhabitants was required.
The last earthquake in Kamchatka occurred 10 years ago, in the winter of 2016. Scientists recorded tremors of magnitude 7.3, which is a very high value. The Kamchatka earthquake on January 30 frightened many residents who hastily left their homes for fear of their destruction. The buildings trembled very much, things and books fell from the shelves. Rescuers consider it lucky that the Kamchatka earthquake on January 30 occurred in the middle of the day. Sensors recorded the first tremors at 15:25 local time. In Moscow at that time it was an early morning - 6:25.
The Kamchatka earthquake on January 30, 2016 occurred at a distance of about 100 km from the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and at a depth of almost 200 km.
After the shocks were completed, specialists carefully examined the buildings for cracks. Fortunately, no victims or victims were registered.