Significant earthquakes of 1991

December 22, 1991 Earthquake: Kamchatka, Kuril Islands, Russia

December 22, 1991 · M7.6

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Kamchatka, Kuril Islands, Russia on December 22, 1991 at 08:43:13 UTC, 24 km below the surface. It caused a tsunami.

Map

Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.

The earthquake

Date
December 22, 1991
Time
08:43:13 UTC
Place
Kamchatka, Kuril Islands, Russia
Magnitude
7.6 (Mw)
Focal depth
24 km (15 mi)
Epicenter
45.533° N, 151.021° E
Country
Russia

The toll

The record gives no deaths, injuries or damage for this earthquake.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

1991, Dec 22. Complex event. Felt. (reference #1053)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1991The 1900sEvery quake the USGS located in 1991Recent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history

Sources

Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 6482.