Overview
Severo-Kurilsk (), formerly Kashiwabara (), is a town and the administrative center of Severo-Kurilsky District of Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, located in the northern part of the Kuril Islands, on the island of Paramushir. Population:
History
On November 5, 1952, a magnitude 8.8–9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Severo-Kurilsk was completely destroyed by the resulting tsunami, killing at least 2,336 people. Following this event, the town was rebuilt on higher ground to prevent damage from future tsunamis. On July 30, 2025, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake again occurred off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, causing a tsunami that partly flooded Severo-Kurilsk's port and a fish processing plant. The earthquake itself severely affected the town, damaging apartment buildings, social facilities and public utilities, however no deaths were reported.
Administrative and municipal status
Within the framework of administrative divisions, Severo-Kurilsk serves as the administrative center of Severo-Kurilsky District and is subordinated to it. As a municipal division, the town of Severo-Kurilsk and one rural locality of Severo-Kurilsky District are incorporated as Severo-Kurilsky Urban Okrug.
Economy
Commercial fishing is virtually the only industry in the town.
Climate
Severo-Kurilsk has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc). The monthly average temperature is greater than 10 degrees Celsius only in August and September. Due to the influence of the cold current of the Oyashio current, it is cold and humid all year round. Severo-Kurilsk is above the 0°C isotherm and has very rarely, sporadic permafrost during the winter. Despite its northern latitude, temperatures are extremely mild as the ocean regulates the temperature. The annual precipitation is more than five times that of Siberia. Winter lasts from December through April, the months where temperatures average below freezing. The summers are short, cold, and mostly cloudy. Winters are long, freezing, snowy, extremely windy, and overcast. During the winter season, Snow is extremely common and can be found blanketing the ground.
Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from −6.4°C to 15.2°C and is rarely below −15°C or above 22°C. Based on the tourism score, the best time of year to visit Severo-Kurilsk for warm-weather activities is for the entire month of August.
Sister city
* Nemuro, Hokkaido, Japan
Further reading
*Krasheninnikov, Stepan Petrovich, and James Greive. The History of Kamtschatka and the Kurilski Islands, with the Countries Adjacent. Chicago: Quadrangle Books, 1963. *Rees, David. The Soviet Seizure of the Kuriles. New York: Praeger, 1985.
External links
*Unofficial website of Severo-Kurilsk