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Shikotan, Kuril Islands Earthquake & Tsunami October 4, 1994 Set 1 |
| A magnitude 8.1 earthquake occurred in the southern Kurils and on northern Hokkaido on Tuesday, October 5, 1994, (October 4 at 13:23 GMT). It was a sudden event, without any short- term precursors or foreshocks. The earthquake epicenter was located 80 km east southeast of Shikotan Island. The slides in this set show views of a newly-created landslide formation, ground cracks, structural damage, and effects of tsunami runup on Shikotan Island. The documentation is a scientific overview of this event, written by a member of the international team that studied it. |
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The overall view of the major landslide formation near Malokurilskoe, Shikotan Island, formed as a result of ground shaking during the October 4, 1994, earthquake. The total volume of the landslide is estimated to be about 900,000 m3. View is to the north. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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A closer look at the major landslide scarp near Malokurilskoe, Shikotan Island, formed as a result of a tectonically-induced landslide. View is to the north. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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Another look at the scarp formed at the top of the hill as a result of a tectonically-induced landslide (view to the east). Note the large soil blocks that have slid down into the open fissure. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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At the top of the hill, the main scarp turns to the east and comes out to the shore precipice at approximately 80 m high. The maximum opening of the scarp is about 20-30 m. Its initial depth was about 15 to 20 m. A few days later it was partially filled with gravel. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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The major scarp of about 300 m in length formed as a result of ground shaking and a landslide during the October 4, 1994, earthquake. The major vector of landslide movement was directed to the left. View is to the south. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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A huge ground crack near Krabosavodskoe, Shikotan Island, formed during the October 4, 1994, earthquake. The initial depth of the crack was 30 meters. However, it quickly filled up with gravel and larger pieces of rock as a result of shaking from aftershocks. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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A huge ground crack near Krabosavodskoe, Shikotan Island, formed during the October 4, 1994 earthquake. Note the trees that have slid down from the surface, but remain in upright position inside the crack. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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A huge ground crack near Krabosavodskoe, Shikotan Island, formed during the October 4, 1994 earthquake. The secondary crack branches down to the water level from the main fissure near Krabosavodskoe, Shikotan Island. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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Numerous ground cracks near a two story apartment building at Malokurilskoe, Shikotan Islands. The building itself was slightly damaged but was still suitable for living. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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The concrete, unfinished building of the city cinema- theater in Malokurilskoe, Shikotan Island, was seriously damaged during the main shock of the October 4, 1994, earthquake. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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The main building of the elementary school in Krabosavodskoe, Shikotan Island, damaged by the October 4, 1994, earthquake. The basement of the building was put down on weak rocks lying on a slightly inclined surface. This resulted in its cut off and movement away from the walls during seismic shaking. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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A seriously damaged building at the elementary school in Krabosavodskoe, Shikotan Island. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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The old Japanese cemetery on the east coast of Shikotan Island. The tombstones which held out against the magnitude 8.2 Shikotan earthquake of August 11, 1969, were shifted and knocked down as a result of ground shaking during the October 4, 1994 earthquakes. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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Gorobets Bay on the west coast of Shikotan Island. The bridge near the mouth of a small river was destroyed and moved along the river nearly 200 meters by the tsunami wave (approximately 1.7 meters high). The distance to the coast line from the bridge is about 300 meters. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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Along the valley of a small stream in Dimitrova Bay (southeast coast of Shikotan Island) tsunami waves 6-7 meters high penetrated up to 600 meters inland. The upper limit of the flooded area is clearly marked with the brown color of grass. Above this, the grass is still green. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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Tsunami runup boundary at Dimitrova Bay on the southeast coast of Shikotan Island. The upper limit of water flooding is clearly marked with changing color of grass and different marine items left at this height. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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The upper soil layer eroded by a tsunami wave at Dimitrova Bay, southeast coast of Shikotan Island. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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Another example of soil erosion caused by tsunami runup at Dimitrova Bay, southeast coast of Shikotan Island. The small conifer trees were pulled up and laid down on the ground. The wave height at this point was about 2-3 meters above the ground. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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A large piece of rock fell down into water from the steep coastal slope in Krabovaya Bay, Shikotan Island, as a result of ground shaking during the October 4, 1994, earthquake. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |
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The magnitude 8.1 earthquake caused the 60-cm co-seismic subsidence of the whole of Shikotan Island. As a result, travel along the coastline became extremely difficult even at low water. Photo credit: V.K. Gusiakov |