A major submarine earthquake south of Crimea on September 11, 1927 triggered tsunamis and released seafloor gas that ignited visible coastal flames.
Key Facts
- Date
- September 11, 1927
- Location
- Black Sea, south of Crimean Peninsula
- Earthquake type
- Submarine (underwater)
- Tsunamis triggered
- Multiple, including from aftershock
- Secondary hazard
- Seafloor gas release caused coastal flames and explosions
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Seismic activity beneath the Black Sea near the Crimean Peninsula produced a sequence of submarine earthquakes in 1927, with a moderate event in June preceding the much larger September 11 event. The earthquakes originated on the seafloor in a seismically active zone beneath the Black Sea.
On September 11, 1927, a large submarine earthquake struck the Black Sea south of Crimea. The event generated tsunamis, and at least one significant aftershock also triggered tsunami waves. The earthquake was notably stronger than the preceding June event in the same sequence.
Following the September 11 earthquake, natural gas released from the seafloor ignited along the coastline, producing visible flames, bright flashes, and audible explosions. The sequence of earthquakes and tsunamis caused widespread alarm across the Crimean coastal region and drew attention to the seismic hazards of the Black Sea basin.