Report on Karymsky (Russia) — 11 February-17 February 2004
Smithsonian / US Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report,
11 February-17 February 2004
Managing Editor: Gari Mayberry
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2004. Report on Karymsky (Russia). In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 11 February-17 February 2004. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Karymsky
Russia
54.049°N, 159.443°E; summit elev. 1513 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
Seismicity was above background levels at Karymsky during 6-13 February, with 30-190 shallow earthquakes occurring per day. Based on interpretations of seismic data, four possible ash-and-gas explosions produced plumes to ~6.5 km a.s.l. on 10 February. According to data from the Airport Meteorological Center in Yelizovo, on 9 and 12 February pilots saw ash plumes that rose to ~5.5 km a.s.l. Karymsky remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
Geological Summary. Karymsky, the most active volcano of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone, is a symmetrical stratovolcano constructed within a 5-km-wide caldera that formed during the early Holocene. The caldera cuts the south side of the Pleistocene Dvor volcano and is located outside the north margin of the large mid-Pleistocene Polovinka caldera, which contains the smaller Akademia Nauk and Odnoboky calderas. Most seismicity preceding Karymsky eruptions originated beneath Akademia Nauk caldera, located immediately south. The caldera enclosing Karymsky formed about 7600-7700 radiocarbon years ago; construction of the stratovolcano began about 2000 years later. The latest eruptive period began about 500 years ago, following a 2300-year quiescence. Much of the cone is mantled by lava flows less than 200 years old. Historical eruptions have been vulcanian or vulcanian-strombolian with moderate explosive activity and occasional lava flows from the summit crater.
Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), IRIB News, United Press International