On January 2, 1996, at 15:40 UTC, a tsunami occurred at Karymskoye, Kamchatka, Russia, located at latitude 54.05 and longitude 159.43. According to the official NOAA/NCEI Global Historical Tsunami Database record, this event produced a recorded maximum water height of 30.0 meters.
Event Details and Measurement Summary
Official historical records characterize the severity and parameters of the event through specific classification metrics. The NOAA/NCEI database assigns this occurrence a validity rating of 4, indicating a definite tsunami event. The record documents a maximum water height of 30.0 meters at the affected location.
Understanding tsunami measurements requires distinguishing between localized runup heights and uniform water levels. The 30.0-meter figure represents the maximum recorded water height for this specific event rather than a uniform height experienced across the entire region. The cause code associated with this event in the database is 6.
Frequently asked questions
When did the 1996 Karymskoye tsunami occur?
The tsunami occurred on January 2, 1996, at 15:40 UTC.
What was the maximum water height recorded for this event?
The recorded maximum water height was 30.0 meters.
Where did the tsunami take place?
The event took place at Karymskoye, Kamchatka, Russia (latitude 54.05, longitude 159.43).
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.