Physical Characteristics of the Kuril Islands


G.M. Tomilov

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University of Washington Department of Anthropology (2001). Please send questions or comments to Scotty Moore
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MAJOR ISLANDS OF THE KURIL ARCHIPELAGO (THOSE SELECTED FOR SURVEY INDICATED IN ALL CAPITALS).
Northern Group
Island Area Maximum Approximate Age
(sq. km) Elevation (m)
ALAID 150 2,339 mid-Pleistocene
SHUMSHU 388 189 mid-Pleistocene
PARAMUSHIR 2,053 1,816 mid-Pleistocene
MAKANRUSHI 49 1,171 Miocene-Pliocene
ONEKOTAN 425 1,324 Miocene-Pliocene
KHARIMKOTAN 68 1,157 Miocene-Pliocene
Chirinkotan 6 742 Miocene-Pliocene
EKARMA 30 1,170 Miocene-Pliocene
SHIASHKOTAN 122 944 Miocene-Pliocene
Central Group
Island Area Maximum Approximate Age
(sq. km) Elevation (m)
Lovushki 0.15 42 Miocene-Pliocene
Raikoke 4.6 551 Miocene-Pliocene
MATUA 52 1,446 mid- to late Pleistocene
RASSHUA 67 948 mid- to late Pleistocene
Ushishir 5 401 mid- to late Pleistocene
KETOI 73 1,172 mid- to late Pleistocene
SIMUSHIR 353 1,539 mid- to late Pleistocene
Southern Group
Island Area Maximum Approximate Age
(sq. km) Elevation (m)
Broutona 7 800 Late Pleistocene
Chirpoi 21 691 Late Pleistocene
Brat Chirpoev 16 749 Late Pleistocene
URUP 1,450 1,426 Late Pleistocene
ITURUP 3,200 1,634 Pliocene
KUNASHIR 1,490 1,822 Pleistocene
SHIKOTAN 250 413 Upper Cretaceous
Habomai Group
Island Area Maximum Approximate Age
(sq. km) Elevation (m)
Polonskogo 12 16 Upper Cretaceous
ZELIONYI 51 25 Upper Cretaceous
Tanfileva 15 12 Upper Cretaceous
Kaigara 2 34 Upper Cretaceous
Iurii 13 45 Upper Cretaceous
Anuchina 3 12 Upper Cretaceous