2006 Kuril Islands earthquake

2006 Kuril Islands earthquake
UTC time2006-11-15 11:14:13
ISC event9235276
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local dateNovember 15, 2006 (2006-11-15)
Local time8:14 pm
Magnitude8.3 Mw
Depth31 km (19 mi)
Epicenter46°35′31″N 153°15′58″E / 46.592°N 153.266°E / 46.592; 153.266
FaultKuril–Kamchatka Trench
TypeMegathrust
Areas affectedJapan, Russia
Max. intensityMMI IV (Light)

JMA 2
TsunamiUp to 21.9 m (72 ft) in Matua Island, Kuril Islands
Casualties1 injured

The 2006 Kuril Islands earthquake occurred on November 15 at 8:14:16 pm JST with a Mw magnitude of 8.3 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IV (Light) and a maximum Shindo intensity of JMA 2. This megathrust earthquake was the largest event in the central Kuril Islands since 1915 and generated a small tsunami that affected the northern Japanese coast. The tsunami crossed the Pacific Ocean and damaged the harbor at Crescent City, California. Post-tsunami surveys indicate that the local tsunami in the central Kuril Islands reached runups of 21.9 metres (72 ft) or higher.

This earthquake is also considered a doublet of the 2007 Kuril Islands earthquake that hit the same area on January 13, 2007.