Volcanoes of Kamchatka on the map with names. Volcanoes of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Eruptions of Kamchatka volcanoes

The concept of an active volcano from the point of view of science is relative, because. some of them, considered extinct, brought some of the most catastrophic consequences in world history. For example, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the El Chichon volcano in 198, Pinatubo in 1991, and Unzen in 1990-1993 in Japan. In Kamchatka, an indicator of such activity was the eruption of the Bezymyanny building in the middle of the 20th century.

At the moment, among volcanologists, there is a definition of an "active volcano" as a certain formation, which is characterized by eruptions documented by history, as well as those on which fumarole or solfataric activity is manifested. In connection with this definition, an international catalog was compiled active volcanoes Mira, including solfataric fields / solfataric activity.

However, the definition of a historical eruption is also relative, as "historical chronicle" appeared in different regions peace in different time. Sometimes this statement is true even for regions of one country.

Active volcanoes of Kamchatka

With regards to Kamchatka, of the existing ones, the first and only one discovered at the end of the 17th century was Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Thanks to the work of Krasheninnikov and Steller, the description of the number of active volcanic massifs in Kamchatka has increased. In the 40s-50s of the XVIII century, such giants as Avachinskaya Sopka, Tolbachik, Zhupanovsky and Shiveluch, Kambalny and Koshelevsky were discovered. Also, these scientists described the eruptions of some of them: Avachinsky, Klyuchevsky and Plosky Tolbachik.

Later, the "Map of Kamchatka Volcanoes" compiled by N.G. Kellem included Kizimen, Kikhpinych, Shtyubel and Karymsky in the current composition. There were 12 of them in total.

Catalog P.T. Novograblenov in 1931 numbered 19. He was the first in Kamchatka to form the concept of an active volcano, describing it as periodically active and in the stage of solfataric activity.

I.I. Gushchenko, in turn, gave a division of mountain ranges into 3 categories: active with exact dates of eruptions in history; potentially active, with an approximate date of eruptions not exceeding 3500 years; as well as being in the stage of solfataric activity. The list of active volcanoes has been expanded to 32x.

Subsequent changes in the number of active volcanoes in Kamchatka remain a mystery, since An exact definition of this concept has not yet been found.

List - how many active volcanoes are in Kamchatka

Avachinsky. Included in the group of home volcanoes. Beautifully built, with a regular cone, rises close to the capital Kamchatka Territory. On different sites and slopes on this moment fumaroles and sulfur deposits were found. During moments of activity, its crater fills with lava. Dates of last manifestations: 1909, 1926, 1938, 1945, 1991, 2001. The volcano is dangerous during the period of activity, both for local and international airlines. Ash falls are possible in settlements: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Yelizovo, Vilyuchinsk.
Nameless. He confirmed the title of the current one with his catastrophic outburst of 1955-1956, after resting for 1000 years. In this connection, at the moment it is under constant monitoring.
Gachmen. No historical eruptions have been recorded. It is under satellite monitoring.
Burnt. Represented by three cones, merged together and elongated in the western and northwestern directions. There are 11 craters on the top. The last eruptions occurred in 1931, 1932, 1947, 1961, 1980, 1984, 2010-2014. Ash falls are possible in Paratunka, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Yelizovo.
Wild Comb. This giant is located in South Kamchatka. The largest extrusion facility within the borders of the Kuril-Kamchatka region. The last claim about itself dates back to 1.5 thousand years ago. It was in the activity of this volcano that the longest periods of rest were found - 3500 years.
Zheltovsky. Emissions were observed in 1923. It is under satellite monitoring.
Zhupanovsky. The last manifestations of activity were noticed in 1929, 1940, 1956, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Emissions pose a risk during the validity period to domestic and international airlines. Ashfalls are possible in nearby settlements: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Yelizovo, Paratunka.

Ilyinsky. Last Activity observed from 1907. It is under satellite monitoring. The eruption and its debris avalanches are of particular danger for the Kuril Lake, due to its close location.
Ichinsky. It is the largest volcanic structure in Central Kamchatka. The date of the last eruption is approximately 1650. The volcano is dangerous during the active phase for local and international airlines.
Kambalny. The last activity is observed from 1769. It is under satellite monitoring.
Karymsky. The most active building in Eastern Kamchatka. The last eruptions date back to 1955, 1960, 1970, 1976, 1996. It is under satellite and seismic monitoring. When ejected, the ash rises mainly for 3 km, and its plume stretches, as a rule, in a southerly direction. The danger is for local airlines.
Kizimen. The date of the last eruption is 2013. A conical stratovolcano with a small lava dome on top. The height of the ash emission can reach 10 km. The volcano is dangerous during the period of activity, both for local and international airlines.
Kikhpinych. The last emissions were about 600 years ago.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Age 7000 years. The most famous volcano not only in Kamchatka, but throughout Eurasia. Due to its close location to the village of Klyuchi, it represents serious threat when active. Eruptions are characterized by ash clouds, mud and lava flows. Their duration can reach from several months to half a year, and ash plumes stretch for thousands of kilometers in different directions. The volcano is dangerous during the period of activity for local and international airlines.
Komarov. History-dated eruptions have not been found. The volcano is classified as active, in connection with the solfataric activity found in the crater.
Koryaksky. The last time this giant showed itself in 2009. The volcano is dangerous during the period of activity for airlines of any level. Seismic, webcam, satellite and visual monitoring is carried out.

Koshelev. The last activity is observed from 1690. It is under satellite monitoring.
Krasheninnikov. Historical eruptions date back 1100 years ago, while the latest ones have been dated 600 and 400 years ago. The building is approximately 11,000 years old. Exists Great chance emissions, ash clouds and lava flows in the future.
Kronotsky. The last activity took place in 1922-1923. Perfect cone shape. All activity of the volcano is confined to its southern slope. Ash clouds, ash falls, and lava flows are possible.
Ksudach. The last manifestations were observed from 1907. It is under satellite monitoring.
Small Semyachik. The last eruptions took place in 1851, 1852, 1945, 1952. This is a volcanic ridge, the length of which is 3 km. The crater of the youngest cone contains thermal lake. It is under satellite monitoring.
Mutnovsky. A complex building of 4 formations. Recent eruptions from 1945, 1960, 1996, 2000, 2007, 2013. It is under visual and satellite monitoring.
Opal. Last activity 1776. The volcano is under satellite monitoring.
Plosky Tolbachik proved himself in 2013. Its height is 3085 m. Plosky Tolbachik and the adjacent sharp Tolbachik together form a separate massif. Terminal and explosive eruptions are dangerous. The volcano is dangerous during the period of activity for airlines of any value.

Taunshitz, located within the Eastern Volcanic Zone. Its activity was noted as early as the early Holocene period, approximately 8.5 thousand years ago, a strong eruption occurred on it, as a result of which the cone slope collapsed and a crater 1.5 km in diameter was formed, as well as an extrusive dome in it. 2400 years ago, another no less strong manifestation of activity is associated with this dome.
Ushkovsky. Together with the Krestovsky volcano they represent one mountain range. The age is 60,000 years. Its eruptions are similar to those in Iceland. When the ice melts, mud flows are possible with catastrophic consequences, because. they go to the valleys of the rivers Bilchenok, Kozyrevskaya and Kamchatka. The volcano is dangerous during the period of activity for local and international airlines.
Khangar. The youngest eruptions date back 400 years ago. Due to the long dormancy, its subsequent activity can be catastrophic, so it will pose a danger to local and international airlines.
Walker. Also known for its eruption that occurred 2-2.5 thousand years ago. With such a long period of calm, there is an assumption that subsequent eruptions will be explosive catastrophic, and therefore, it will be a danger to local and international airlines.
Shiveluch. The largest volcano in Kamchatka. Includes 3 main buildings, one of which - Young Shiveluch, is active. The age reaches 70,000 years. The height of ash emissions can reach from 3 to 20 km, ash clouds stretch for hundreds of kilometers. In this regard, this giant is a danger during the period of activity for local and international airlines.

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Coming to Kamchatka. be sure to go on a tour to one of the active volcanoes - this is an experience of a lifetime!

- business card Russian region, annually gathering thousands of tourists from this land different corners peace. Volcanoes so different that it will take more than one day to get to know each of them. Among them there are many active ones, the eruption of which can cause conflicting feelings among travelers: delight and horror, admiration and fear, all at the same time. Kamchatka volcanoes erupt very rarely, without harming the locals. Volcanoes are an amazing sight that attracts vacationers to such a distance. Today we will introduce you to the most famous volcanoes of Kamchatka.

Despite the fact that all volcanoes are magnificent, each in its own way, three main volcanoes can be distinguished on the Kamchatka Peninsula in terms of size and unusual shape: Klyuchevskoy, Koryaksky, Kronotsky volcanoes. Each of them can safely claim the proud title of a symbol of Kamchatka. But we will tell about all the local volcanoes in more detail.

1. Uzon Volcano- it is surrounded by the ring-shaped failure of the same name, formed forty years ago after the eruption. The diameter of the caldera is ten kilometers, and throughout this territory there are the main treasures of Kamchatka: mineral springs with unique algae and microorganisms living in them, healing mud baths, lakes with flocks of snow-white swans, endless tundra, birch forests with formidable watchmen living there - bears. Autumn landscapes are especially delightful here, when the forest and tundra are painted in golden and red hues.

2. Volcano Klyuchevskoy- the famous natural formation of Russia, which appeared seven thousand years ago. The volcano has the shape of a huge cone, created due to layers of basaltic lava. Tourists are amazed at the surprisingly clear lines and such a regular geometric shape created by nature. Smaller volcanoes have grown together with the main volcano: Kamen, Ploskaya Near, Ploskaya Far. The peculiarity of the Klyuchevskoy volcano is in the column of smoke constantly rising from its mouth, which is created by constant and numerous explosions occurring inside. Height of this Russian volcano- four thousand seven hundred and fifty meters, but it changes periodically: it depends on the power of the ongoing explosions. The entire foot of the Klyuchevskoy Sopka volcano is overgrown with dense coniferous forests- spruce and Okhotsk larch. The first inhabitants chose these places in the Stone Age, they were the Koryak and Itelmen tribes, they were engaged in fishing and hunting. This volcano got its name in the seventeenth century, after the beginning of the development of the territory of Kamchatka, when springs with the purest water. Here they created a settlement for researchers, which they called Klyuchi, just like the volcano - Klyuchevskoy. The first to conquer the summit of this volcano was Daniil Gauss, who arrived here as part of a Russian expedition. He and two of his comrades went upstairs without special equipment, despite the huge risk, everything ended well. Here was created national park, which, together with Klyuchevskaya Sopka, was included in the list World Heritage UNESCO. This is an active volcano in Russia, at the foot of which there is a station of the Institute of Volcanology. Scientists have found that a volcanic eruption occurs once every six years, but destructive eruptions occur only once every twenty-five years. It is estimated that in three thousand years, lava was ejected fifty times. With each such ejection of lava, columns of dust and smoke rise into the sky, which gradually dissipate over the surrounding area, the flame can last for a week or three years, as it was once. But this does not frighten the local residents of the Klyuchi settlement, who, like their distant ancestors, hunt, fish, farm, raise livestock, that is, lead an ordinary life, in the shadow of a formidable neighbor that attracts crowds of tourists to these parts.

3. Karymsky Volcano- the most active volcano in Kamchatka, which produced more than twenty eruptions in one century, many of which lasted for years, replacing one with another. The most intense eruption happened in 1962, it went on for three years, giving out more than three thousand cubic meters of dust and gases in one explosion. Sometimes in one day there were up to nine hundred emissions. The volcanic eruption looks especially delightful at night, when luminous tangles of smoke, ash and flashes of fire rise into the sky, illuminating the surroundings like a white day. Tourists are not afraid of the formidable volcano, making ascents to its top, having previously stopped at the Maly Semyachik ridge to enjoy the amazing view around. The history of the origin of this volcano is confusing: at first there was the Dvor volcano, which was completely destroyed during its eruption, but in the caldera that arose after the explosion, the Karymsky volcano was born over time, central part which was also heavily destroyed after the eruption. Here again a caldera arose and a new cone, which we can observe today. At the foot of the Karymsky volcano, a volcanological station was set up to maintain safety in the area.

4. Volcano Maly Semyachik- this absolutely amazing volcano of Kamchatka stretches for three kilometers. It is unique in the presence of three craters, in one of which, during the eruption, acid lake, kilometer deep, with green water, the temperature of which varies from twenty-five to forty-five degrees, and the composition of the lake's water is similar to sulfuric acid. IN sunny weather tourists have the opportunity not only to climb this volcano, but also to approach the lake, however, it is not worth standing next to it for a long time, as it periodically begins to “spit out” jets of acidic water in different directions.

5. Gorely Volcano- has a shape elongated in the western direction. This is a typical volcano formed from a caldera. The height of Gorely is one thousand eight hundred twenty-nine meters, it has eleven craters, some of them picturesquely intersect. The craters where eruptions have occurred are ring-shaped and filled with acidic lakes. In one part of the Gorely volcano, the caldera, descending from the faults, created a kind of entrance gate on the walls. Everything looks very unusual, which attracts tourists here.

6. Avachinsky Volcano- This Kamchatka volcano has a complex structure, similar to Vesuvius volcano. Its height is two thousand seven hundred and fifty one meters, and the diameter of the crater is three hundred and fifty meters, with a depth of two hundred and twenty meters. During the last eruption, which occurred at the end of the twentieth century, the funnel of the crater was filled with lava and fumaroles began to form here, depositing sulfur.

7. Volcano Koryaksky- a picturesque Kamchatka volcano, with a very regular and perfectly even cone. Its height is three thousand two hundred and fifty six meters. There are numerous glaciers at the top, which are completely unaffected by the nearby fumaroles that warm the interior of the volcanic crater. This volcano is a champion in the content of rocks and volcanic rocks.

8. Volcano Dzenzursky- a long-destroyed volcano, in the crater of which there is now a glacier. But in the southeastern part of Dzenzursky there is a fumarole focus, covering an area of one hundred square meters, which warms inland waters to a boiling point of 100 degrees.

9. Vilyuchinsky Volcano- located close to big city Kamchatka - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is long extinct and is characterized by a cut top, with areas filled with ice, and flowing down it into old times lava, thanks to fumaroles, became multi-colored.

10. Ostry Tolbachik Volcano- has a sharp roof, which was formed by a glacier. The height of the volcano is three thousand six hundred and eighty two meters. The foot is covered by glaciers, the most famous of which is the Schmidt glacier, from which you can clearly see the barrancos, which picturesquely cut the ledges of Tolbachik. From the west, one can observe dikes similar to battlements of basalt origin, which are of interest not only to researchers, but also ordinary tourists.

11. Volcano Ksudach- in shape it looks like a cropped cone, with craters filled with acidic lake waters. In height, this volcano reaches only a thousand meters, while at the time of its appearance it was two thousand meters high, but in the process of its volcanic activity, it became a thousand meters lower. There are many calderas of different sizes, estimated at different ages. Volcano Ksudach - the most unusual volcano Kamchatka: here you can find lakes with the purest water, a waterfall springs from its caldera, beautiful alder forests grow on the slopes of the volcano.

12. Volcano Mutnovsky- the most complex massif in its structure, with numerous fumarole zones, several craters, with hot mineral spring, seething boilers of boiling water and warm lakes. The height of this Kamchatka volcano is two thousand three hundred and twenty three meters. The Vulkannaya River flows nearby, breaking down into a huge and beautiful waterfall.

Volcanoes of Kamchatka- so dangerous and beautiful in all their manifestations, every year they attract more and more tourists who break away from their homes and leave their comfort zone, go on a long journey through the farthest region of Russia - Kamchatka, to get acquainted with these amazing natural creations.

Russia is famous for its unique natural sites. Some of them are the active volcanoes of Kamchatka. Many tourists dream of seeing these fire-breathing mountains with their own eyes. Some of them are very active, others are extinct. More detailed information can be found in this article.

Volcanoes in Kamchatka

More than 600 volcanoes are still active on the territory of our country. Only in Kamchatka there are more than 25 of them, three of which can be visited by tourists. These extraordinary objects of nature have always attracted the attention of travelers and scientists. Entire books have been written about volcanic eruptions in Kamchatka. Late 18th century famous explorer Krashennikov S.P. in his scientific work completely described the lands and volcanoes of Kamchatka. Scientists from all over the world have studied these natural objects. Many books and works were written by such volcanologists as Svyatlovsky A.E., Novograblenov P.T., Piip B.I., Vladavets V.G. and others.

Active volcano in Kamchatka

Everyone dreams of seeing an active fire-breathing mountain. Kamchatka is exactly the place where you can make this dream come true. The beauty and mystery of these natural objects is simply mesmerizing. Volcano of Kamchatka with a lunar landscape and craters of mountain lakes is an unforgettable sight. These wonders of the world, created by nature itself, are rightfully considered the sights of Russia as a whole.

Some volcanoes in Kamchatka are still active. Among the most interesting natural objects are:

Klyuchevskaya Sopka;
Shiveluch;
Tolbachik;
Kronovska Sopka;
Big Udina and Small Udina;
Kizimen;
Small Semyachik.

Description of Shiveluch volcano

Shiveluch is an active volcano in Kamchatka. It is located in the very north of the peninsula. We are talking about the young Shiveluch. There is also old volcano, which is already dead. Young Shiveluch has several lava flows. The volcano is very large, its diameter is 6x7 km. The domes of the fire-breathing mountain were completely destroyed due to large explosions. Now the young Shiveluch has a double crater. One part with a diameter of 1.7 km is located in the north, the southern crater is about the same size. The land covered with the ejected material has an area of more than 100 square meters. km. Despite the fact that the volcano is called young, it appeared more than 70 thousand years ago.

Tolbachik

Tolbachik volcano is located in the southwest of the Klyuchevskoy plateau. He is huge mountain consisting of two parts - extinct volcano and acting. The shape of the fire-breathing mountain is cone-shaped. The size of Tolbachik, as well as the height of Kamchatka's volcanoes for the most part, exceeds 2000 meters above the ground. The slopes of the flat mountain are very picturesque, and the summit has a vast area with a glacier inside the caldera. Scientists attribute Tolbachik to the Klyuchevskaya group. In accordance with the works of researchers, volcanoes belong to the areas of modern glaciation.

Karymsky volcano

Karymsky is an active volcano in Kamchatka. He is one of the most active. This miracle of nature is located in the Eastern Volcanic Belt, in its central part. The structure of the Karymskaya Mountain is very complex. The cone is relatively young, and the caldera has been preserved since ancient times. Its diameter is 5 km. The last eruption was recorded in 1996. The height of the volcano has not changed since then, it is 1546 meters. Karymskaya Gora belongs to the class of old volcanoes. Eruptions are characterized by large ash emissions from the central crater and constant explosions. The lava is very viscous, so it usually does not reach the bottom. At the very base is Karymskoye Lake. In 1996, the eruption began just from there and from the central crater. The water in the lake began to literally boil. Acids and salts reached such a concentration that they killed all lake life. Since then, Lake Karymskoye has become the first natural reservoir with acidic water, unsuitable for fish and plants.

Ksudach

The volcanoes of Kamchatka differ from each other in their structure, height, frequency of eruptions, etc. Ksudach is a special shield-shaped mountain. The slopes of the volcano are gentle, and the base area is very large. The diameter of the foot is 35 km. At the top of the mountain is an oval caldera. Its parameters are 7x9 km, and the bottom is divided into two parts. Ksudach is famous for its lakes in the western part of the caldera and mountain ranges.

Maly Semyachik

The length of the volcanic ridge is about 5 km. Its crest has three craters. Special is the most southern - Trinity. Inside it, at a depth of more than 150 meters, there is an acidic lake. It is 500 meters wide and 140 meters deep. average temperature water varies from +25 to +42 degrees Celsius. Maly Semyachik became the owner of such unusual lake after the eruption, which passed without consequences for the settlements of Kamchatka. Tourists visiting this unusual region are happy to climb to the top of Maly Semyachik. Before the eyes of travelers, an unforgettable picture opens up with green lake in a two-hundred-meter gap.

Volcano Klyuchevskoy

Beautiful landscapes and mountains - that's what Kamchatka is famous for. Volcano Klyuchevskoy is also a local attraction. It is one of the largest. The height of the Klyuchevskoy volcano is 4750 meters. The shape of the hill is cone-shaped. Its correct outlines, created by nature itself, are visible from afar. Scientists consider it relatively young, 8000 years old. The conquerors of this region for the first time recorded a volcanic eruption. The researcher Vladimir Atlasov (in 1697) was then working in Kamchatka. In those days, the Klyuchevskoy volcano erupted once every five years. Later, annual ash emissions and explosions could be observed. However, for the inhabitants of the city of Klyuchi, the mountain did not pose a serious danger.

Avachinsky volcano

The active volcano in Kamchatka is Avachinsky. He rose above sea level by 2751 m. This mountain differs from the rest in its complex structure and shape. Until 1991, the top of the Avachinsky volcano was the owner of a deep crater 350 meters wide. After the eruption at the end of the 20th century, it got a large number of lavas, and now there are fumaroles that deposit sulfur.

Mutnovsky volcano

This array has a very complex structure. The height of the Mutnovsky volcano is 2323 meters above sea level. Due to the constant gas-hydrothermal activity, large sulfur structures appeared on the surface. Their diameter reached 5 meters. In addition, these whimsical figures formed a large number of glaciers, minerals and lakes.

Mutnovsky, like other volcanoes of Kamchatka, is deservedly called a miracle of nature. It is famous for its active thermal springs near active craters. Most often, tourists visit Dachnye and Severomutnovskiye springs. There you can admire warm swamps and lakes, as well as see boiling boilers and steam-gas jets. In addition, a river comes out of the crater, which forms a waterfall. Its height reaches 80 meters.

Eruptions of active volcanoes

A volcanic eruption in Kamchatka is not a rare phenomenon. Typically, fire-breathing mountains eject lava once every 100 years. An example is the young Shiveluch. The largest and catastrophic eruptions were recorded in 1854 and 1964.

Today you can not be afraid of constant eruptions, which used to scare local population volcanoes of Kamchatka. Klyuchevskaya Sopka, once famous for its constant ash emissions, slowly calmed down. The most terrible eruption was recorded in 1944. It was also the longest. Emissions of ash and lava were observed from the end of 1944 to the summer of 1945. Then the ashes settled throughout the peninsula. And when the eruption began, the walls in houses trembled at a distance of 50 kilometers from the foot of the mountain. Through the cracks that went from the top of the hill to the bottom, lava began to pour out. The locals remember that time for a long time.

Nameless

The volcanoes of Kamchatka, photos of which can be seen in this article, periodically go out and become active again. This is what happened to the Nameless. This mountain has long been considered an old volcano. But unexpectedly for everyone in 1955, the Nameless Volcano woke up. A terrible earthquake began in its vicinity. Strong explosions were then heard. Ashes in huge quantities began to be thrown out. The eruption was very strong, the ashes were scattered at a distance of 100 km from the crater. There was so much of it that the sunlight couldn't get through it. Then in Kamchatka it was equally dark both day and night. After some time, the eruption began to subside, but in 1956 there was again a monstrous explosion. Ashes and red-hot fires rose 40 kilometers above the summit. All living things within a radius of 25 kilometers were burned by lava. East End the surface of the cone was damaged, and streams of incandescent debris and ash poured through the hole. A river valley 100 meters deep was immediately filled with this loose volcanic material. For a long time, hot jets of gas and steam rose above the surface of the earth. The material finally cooled down only after a few months.

People observed in those years the most terrible volcanic eruption. The force of the air wave, which was formed during the explosion, exceeded the speed of sound. And the generated energy is comparable to the amount of energy that the Kuibyshevskaya HPP produces in 365 days. A few years later, lava flows could be observed that descended from the mountain. The temperature of the fiery material, according to approximate calculations, was equal to 900 degrees Celsius. After that, smoke clouds were visible above Bezymyanny, and soon the volcano died out.

Other eruptions

Avachinsky volcano erupted in 1945 for less than a day. Then a giant mushroom of smoke and red-hot bombs formed over its top. As a result of the explosion, the glacier melted on the cone, and mud flows with debris and water collapsed down.

The most recent eruption of the Ksudach volcano occurred in 1907. The explosion caused the formation of a large funnel, where a lake subsequently formed.

Scientists identify 5 volcanoes in Kamchatka that you should be afraid of. One of them is Tolbachik, the eruption of which began in 2012 and continues to the present. Lava flows are still breaking down from the top. You can get close to the basalt currents. Some tourists even manage to ride on the lava. Avachinsky, Koryaksky, Klyuchevskaya Sopka and Shiveluch are among the active and potentially dangerous ones.

The volcanoes of Kamchatka are fascinating. Their mystery attracts many tourists from all over the world. It is impossible to predict their behavior, although scientists are trying to do it. The inhabitants of the Kamchatka Peninsula can only watch what is happening and hope that the destructive and deadly eruptions will not happen again.

Kamchatka is one of the most seismically active territories in Russia. The main local attractions are volcanoes, which can be found even on the territorial symbols - the coat of arms and the flag of the region.

How many volcanoes are there in Kamchatka?

Kamchatka volcanoes are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire - one of the most seismically hazardous areas of our planet, the territory in the Pacific Ocean, where most of the known active volcanoes are located. It is quite difficult to determine exactly how many volcanoes there are in Kamchatka. Various sources limit their number from a few hundred to a few thousand. Most researchers agree that there are at least three hundred of them on the peninsula.

Kamchatka volcanoes are distinguished by a rare variety of sizes and shapes. They appeared in different eras, and today they show their activity in different ways. Many volcanoes are ancient and have not been active in historical times. A number of volcanoes are active.

For the first time, information about some Kamchatka volcanoes and famous hot springs was provided by the researcher S.P. Krasheninnikov in his essay “Description of the land of Kamchatka”, published in 1756. After that, many catalogs and descriptions were published, the most complete of which came out in 1991 and contained several hundred large-scale photographs.

Active volcanoes of Kamchatka

The number of active volcanoes in Kamchatka is determined quite precisely: there are 29 of them. They include all the volcanoes that have erupted over the past few thousand years - this is exactly how long the so-called "historical period" is.

Karymsky is one of the youngest and most active volcanoes in Kamchatka. During the 20th century, it erupted 23 times, with the last one lasting about two years. happened at the same time underwater eruption in Karymskoye Lake, which resulted in the transformation of a reservoir with clean fresh water into the largest tank of acidic water.
Achinsky is one of the active volcanoes, characterized by a complex structure and a cone of perfectly regular shape.
Ichinskaya hill. Belongs to the type of stratovolcanoes. This volcano is considered the only one that retains some activity, the volcano of the Middle Range. The last serious eruption of Ichinskaya Sopka happened in 1740, today it retains a certain fumarolic activity.

One of the most famous volcanoes Kamchatka is the Koryakskaya Sopka. This is a medium-sized volcano (about 3.5 km high), which is located a few tens of kilometers from Petropavlovsk. This volcano retains some volcanic activity: in the 1950s, enough major eruption, and in 2008 there was a major gas release. However, the volcano is especially popular among experienced climbers. This is facilitated by steep slopes and a relatively difficult climb.

Video about the volcanoes of Kamchatka

Eruptions of Kamchatka volcanoes

Volcanic eruptions in Kamchatka occur several times a month. Most of them are relatively harmless, others can cause some damage.

Of the eruptions that occurred on the territory of the Kamchatka Territory in late 2015 and early 2016, we can recall:

October 2015 - Shiveluch, located in the north of the peninsula. The height of the ash reached 4.5 kilometers.
November 2015 - two eruptions of the Karymsky volcano. During the first, ash was ejected to a height of 5.4-5.5 km, during the second - by 3.6 km.
January 2016 - Shiveluch. Ashes reached a height of 7 kilometers.
January 2016 - Zhupanovsky. The ash reached a height of 8 kilometers, after which it shifted to the east within a radius of 20 kilometers.
The beginning of February 2016 - a new eruption of the Karymsky volcano. The eruption is relatively small, the height of the ash did not exceed 3 km.
The danger of a new eruption of the Shiveluch volcano remains. Small ash emissions occur above the main crater, and increased activity is recorded.

Video about the volcanic eruption in Kamchatka

You can make out some interesting facts about the volcanoes of Kamchatka.

The current height of the Shiveluch volcano does not exceed 3283 meters. A few decades ago, it was much higher, however, serious eruptions in the early 2000s made it 114 meters smaller.
The actual height of the Klyuchevskoy volcano is even higher. Due to constant eruptions, it is approaching 5000 meters. It is believed that since 1983 there has been one big eruption the largest volcano in Kamchatka. In 2009, the eruption intensified significantly, and continues to this day with variable activity.
Another interesting fact- 28 out of 29 active volcanoes are located in the eastern part of the region.
Kamchatka volcanoes are active, but not too deadly. Old-timers practically do not remember eruptions with noticeable human casualties. For an ordinary resident of the region, seeing a distant volcano at dawn is a sign that the weather will be fine during the day.

The volcanoes of Kamchatka in the Kamchatka Territory are one of the main symbols, it is often recommended to go here for a holiday in Russia in winter. To see these mountains, thousands of tourists come here every year. Some of them climb to the heights to see the craters up close, others are limited to observations from the city limits. For example, geologists recommend admiring the Shiveluch volcano from a distance of 30-40 kilometers. All local volcanoes are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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Despite the fact that many believe that the volcanoes of Kamchatka are not bloodthirsty, in fact, they owe a small number of victims primarily to the fact that people avoid building houses at their foot - there are from 28 to 36 active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula (depending on the type of classification). ) and a huge number of those that are considered dormant or extinct.

And no one wants to take risks, especially considering that volcanic activity here almost never subsides: only at the end of 2014, several Kamchatka hills woke up here and began to erupt at once - Shiveluch, Zhupanovsky, Karymsky volcano, and others.

What is Kamchatka

The Kamchatka Peninsula is located in the northeast of Eurasia, located on the territory Russian Federation. In the west it is washed by the waters Sea of Okhotsk, in the east - Bering, as well as Pacific Ocean. The peninsula has an oblong shape and stretches from northeast to southwest for about 1200 km, while its greatest width is almost 450 km. A narrow (slightly less than a hundred kilometers) isthmus connects Kamchatka with the continent.

This peninsula is unique, first of all, because there is a huge number of volcanoes here - both long-extinct and dormant, and many active ones (volcanoes of Kamchatka occupy about 40% of the entire area of the peninsula).

In total, scientists count about three hundred fire-breathing mountains here, so there is nothing surprising in the fact that volcanic eruptions and related processes occurring at a depth (first of all, this concerns thermal springs and geysers) form the local landscape.

The nature of this region is constantly changing, since about three or four volcanoes erupt lava here every year, representing not only increased volcanic activity, but also causing seismic activity. Volcanoes and geysers of Kamchatka are quite a typical phenomenon for local residents.

How Kamchatka was formed

The Kamchatka Peninsula belongs to the Pacific Ring of Fire, so the oceanic and continental plates are constantly colliding with each other. A huge ridge was formed over the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, the total length of which was 2.5 thousand km. In the north of the newly formed ridge, in its wider part, the Kamchatka Peninsula arose, while in the south only individual peaks emerged from the water, forming the Kuril Islands.

It is worth noting that the relief of the peninsula consists of successive lowlands and mountain ranges. It was formed in this way: lava poured out from the bowels of the earth along deep faults and volcanic loose materials (ash, slag) were thrown up, forming high plateaus and volcanoes.

Over time, the volcanoes of Kamchatka have significantly decreased in size. This happened for several reasons:

The most powerful water flows eroded the slopes, forming ravines and gorges;
The wind, sharp fluctuations in temperature, and even the constant melting / freezing of water destroyed the mountains that were forming;
Glaciers have repeatedly crashed into the peninsula, and colliding with the ridges, they destroyed the rock.

At the same time, the tectonic plates did not stop their activity and for many millennia they have been colliding with each other almost as actively as before. This is one of the reasons why Kamchatka volcanoes have been active throughout the existence of the peninsula, gradually moving from west to east, forming lowlands, two main mountain systems and other highlands:

West Kamchatka lowland, maximum width which is about forty meters, hills begin to appear closer to the Middle Range.
The Sredinny Range is one of the main mountain systems of Kamchatka, the length of which is about 900 km and stretches along the watershed of the Sredinny Range, which is located in the center of the peninsula and expands to the south. There is only one active volcano here - Khangar, which last erupted more than 1.5 thousand years ago.
Central Kamchatka depression with a length of 500 km. The Bystraya and Kamchatka rivers flow here, leading to the Bering Sea.
The eastern volcanic zone is another, younger mountain system of Kamchatka, stretching from north to south along the entire peninsula. It includes almost all active active volcanoes of Kamchatka and about 70% of thermal springs.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka

The height of the Klyuchevskoy volcano is constantly changing and ranges from 4,750 to 4,850 meters, so it is the highest active volcano in Eurasia. It erupts mainly once every 5-6 years and even more often: despite the fact that in 2013 it threw ash to a height of 12 km above sea level, in January 2015 it woke up again and erupted a six-kilometer column of ash and a huge amount of lava.

Avachinskaya Sopka

Avachinsky volcano is active and is located to the north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - 25 km. Its height is slightly more than 2.7 thousand meters, the top is cone-shaped. Avachinsky volcano has a huge crater with a diameter of almost five hundred meters and a height of 700 meters. In its upper part (together with the nearby Kozelskaya Sopka) there are 10 glaciers, total area which exceeds ten kilometers of volcanoes.

Since the Avachinsky volcano is located not far from Petropavlovsk, and the ascent to it is quite simple and takes from 6 to 8 hours along the paved path, it is one of the most visited volcanoes in Kamchatka.

Koryakskaya Sopka

One of the most famous volcanoes of this mountain system is located 35 km from Petropavlovsk Koryaksky volcano, whose height is about 3.5 thousand m. locals cannot imagine the city without it: in good weather it can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.

In respect of volcanic activity The Koryaksky volcano is relatively safe (the last major eruption was observed here in the 50s of the last century).

In 2008, there was a release of volcanic gas here, which could be seen even from space, and the smoke plume stretched for almost 100 km and reached Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

IN Lately The Koryaksky volcano, due to its extremely steep slopes, is increasingly attracting the attention of climbers. Another advantage for them is that, due to the difficult climb to this mountain, there are no such massive ascents as on more accessible hills. Therefore, only an experienced, well-trained climber is able to climb the Koryaksky volcano, otherwise it may well end in tragedy.

Karymskaya Sopka

One more interesting mountain The eastern ridge is the Karymsky volcano, whose height is almost 1.5 thousand meters. It is extremely active - since the middle of the 19th century, geologists have recorded about twenty eruptions here (over the past ten years, the Karymsky volcano has erupted twice), while, despite the fact that 115 km separates it from Petropavlovsk, in the case of strong emissions, volcanic ash flies there too.

Mutnovskaya Sopka

Volcano Mutnovsky is located eighty kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Its height is about 2.3 km and it consists of several cones, which eventually merged into a single array. The northwestern cone, despite a small crater (2 by 1.5 m), has all the signs of volcanic activity.

Despite the fact that the Mutnovsky volcano is active (in total, geologists recorded about 16 eruptions, the last of which was in 2000), it only reminds of itself with emissions of volcanic gases and the presence of a huge number of thermal springs - it is here that one of the largest geothermal deposits is located on our planet.

Zhupanovskaya Sopka

Seventy kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (in the southwestern side) is the Zhupanovsky volcano, whose height is almost 3 thousand meters. This is one of the most active volcanoes of recent times: in recent years it has been erupting extremely actively, and the emission of volcanic ash in January 2015 reached 5 km above sea level. Currently, the Zhupanovsky volcano has an orange aviation hazard code - and all tourists who are near it are advised to leave the area.

Volcano Gorely

Gorely volcano is located in the southwest of Petropavlovsk (80 km). This volcano is active, its height is almost 2 km above sea level and it is located in the south of the peninsula. It consists of eleven cones and thirty craters superimposed on each other, the length of which is three kilometers along the ridge. Some of them are filled with acid, others are filled with fresh water. In total, scientists have recorded about 50 eruptions of this hill.

In former times, the Gorely volcano was so active that the underground magma chamber was completely devastated, because of which the plateau could not stand it and fell down into the resulting voids, forming the volcano's caldera.

Since the eruptions did not stop, a ridge subsequently grew inside it. At the same time, there was so much lava that it even flowed out of the caldera: one of its flows moved in a northwest direction for 9 km, the other - to the southwest - for 15 km.

The last time the Gorely volcano was active was in 2010, while this process was accompanied by seismic activity, significant emissions of steam and gas. In the last few years, this mountain is silent and does not manifest itself in any way. Geologists say that the dormant period between eruptions averages about twenty years, and the longest break was as much as sixty (for this volcano, this is quite a lot).
Kronotskaya Sopka

Kronotsky volcano, whose height exceeds 3,538 meters, and the top has a regular ribbed cone. Eruptions near this stratovolcano occur, however, rarely - the last time it happened in 1923. Not far from it is the famous Valley of Geysers.

Volcano Shiveluch

Shiveluch Volcano is the northernmost active volcano of the peninsula, more than 400 km separates it from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It has been extremely active lately: in January 2015, ash plume was about 6 km above sea level, and ash clouds were carried away westward by 200 km.

At the moment, the Shiveluch volcano has a height of 3283 meters, while earlier it was much higher, but as a result it is extremely strong eruptions at the beginning of the 21st century, it became lower by 114 meters. Three years later, the Shiveluch volcano threw out volcanic ash and lava from its bowels to a height of more than ten kilometers - its activity turned out to be so strong that part of its dome did not easily collapse, but a crevice thirty meters deep formed in it.