Here is a concise summary of the text:
**Event:** Devastating tsunami in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka, and the Kuril Islands, USSR
**Date:** November 5, 1952, at 4 am
**Key Facts:**
* A massive earthquake triggered a series of tsunamis, with waves up to 15 meters high
* Thousands of people were killed, and entire villages, including Severo-Kurilsk, were destroyed
* The disaster was not publicly disclosed by the Soviet government, with related documents classified as top secret
* Rescue efforts were hindered by debris, and some military personnel engaged in looting
* The disaster led to a significant decrease in the island population and prompted the Soviet Union to establish a tsunami warning system
**Aftermath:**
* Severo-Kurilsk was rebuilt on a hill, but without adequate consideration for natural disaster risks
* The city remained vulnerable to future disasters, including mudflows from volcanic eruptions
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, each given a number and presented in short sentences:
1. **Date and Time of Event**: November 5, 1952, at 4 am, a strong earthquake occurred in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
2. **Initial Earthquake Effects**: The earthquake caused houses to sway and crack, plaster to fall, and dishes to shatter.
3. **Earthquake Duration**: The initial tremors lasted approximately 5 minutes.
4. **Tsunami Occurrence**: Immediately after the earthquake, a massive tsunami wave formed in the Pacific Ocean near the epicenter.
5. **Tsunami Speed and Destination**: The tsunami wave rushed towards the shores of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands at incredible speed.
6. **First Wave Impact (Timing)**: The first tsunami wave hit the land about half an hour after the earthquake.
7. **Destruction Caused by the First Wave**: The wave destroyed villages on the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka, including the whole city of Severo-Kurilsk, taking border guard boats with it.
8. **Subsequent Waves**: After the first wave, a second and then a third wave hit the area, causing further destruction.
9. **Scale of Human Loss**: Thousands of people were carried away into the ocean by the tsunami waves.
10. **Visibility of Destruction**: The next day, nothing but water was visible in the affected areas, with all land submerged.
11. **Moscow's Response (or Lack Of)**: On the same day, Moscow held a parade for the anniversary of the Great October Revolution, with no mention of the tragedy in the media.
12. **Classification of Documents**: Documents related to the disaster were immediately classified as top secret.
13. **Earthquake Frequency in the Area**: Earthquakes were common in the region, but this one was unusually strong.
14. **Response of Local Authorities**: The head of the North Kurilsk police station, Deryabin, was among those who responded to the crisis.
15. **Second Wave Details**: The second wave, 15 meters high, hit the island of Paramushir, destroying everything in its path.
16. **Destruction of North-Kurilsk**: The second wave completely destroyed the city of North-Kurilsk, taking most of its population.
17. **Third Wave**: The third wave was weaker but completed the destruction of the city.
18. **Rescue Efforts**: Reconnaissance planes and a rescue boat were eventually dispatched to the area.
19. **Challenges in Rescue Efforts**: Rescuers faced difficulties due to rubble, debris, and entangled propellers.
20. **Looting Incidents**: There were instances of looting by military personnel, including the theft of alcohol, cognac, and money from safes.
21. **Consequences for Looters**: Some looters were detained and handed over to the military prosecutor.
22. **Order to Collect Supplies**: Military personnel were ordered to gather cereals and vegetable oil from destroyed warehouses.
23. **Demographic Impact**: The population of the islands decreased significantly in the mid-1950s due to the disaster.
24. **Rebuilding of Severo-Kurilsk**: The city was rebuilt on a hill but remained in a dangerous zone prone to mudflows from volcanic eruptions.
25. **Lack of Preparedness and Safety Measures**: Severo-Kurilsk was not prepared for a tsunami, with no safety measures or evacuation instructions for residents.
26. **Creation of Tsunami Warning System**: Following the disaster, the Soviet Union's government decided to establish a tsunami warning system.