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Report on Klyuchevskoy (Russia) — 16 May-22 May 2007


Klyuchevskoy

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 16 May-22 May 2007
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2007. Report on Klyuchevskoy (Russia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 16 May-22 May 2007. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (16 May-22 May 2007)

Klyuchevskoy

Russia

56.056°N, 160.642°E; summit elev. 4754 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


KVERT reported that during 11-22 May, seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi continued above background levels and a thermal anomaly in the crater was detected on satellite imagery. According to video data and visual observations, Vulcanian activity at the terminal crater and phreatic bursts at the NW flank of the volcano were observed on 11 and 16 May. Also on 11 and 16 May, ash plumes rose to 9.7 km (31,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and NE, respectively. Clouds inhibited observation on other days. Ashfall was reported from the town of Klyuchi, about 30 km to the NE, during 11-12 and 16-17 May. KVERT raised the Level of Concern Color Code from Orange to Red on 17 May.

On 18 May, KVERT reported that deposits from a mudflow filled the Krivaya river. During 18-22 May, ash plumes rose to an altitude of 8.5 km (27,900 ft) a.s.l. Based on observations from satellite imagery, ash plumes drifted N, NE, NW, and E during 11-22 May.

Geological Summary. Klyuchevskoy (also spelled Kliuchevskoi) is Kamchatka's highest and most active volcano. Since its origin about 6000 years ago, the beautifully symmetrical, 4835-m-high basaltic stratovolcano has produced frequent moderate-volume explosive and effusive eruptions without major periods of inactivity. It rises above a saddle NE of sharp-peaked Kamen volcano and lies SE of the broad Ushkovsky massif. More than 100 flank eruptions have occurred during the past roughly 3000 years, with most lateral craters and cones occurring along radial fissures between the unconfined NE-to-SE flanks of the conical volcano between 500 m and 3600 m elevation. The morphology of the 700-m-wide summit crater has been frequently modified by historical eruptions, which have been recorded since the late-17th century. Historical eruptions have originated primarily from the summit crater, but have also included numerous major explosive and effusive eruptions from flank craters.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)