The quoted part of the following report is from S. Fedotov. "Activity at Kliuchevskoi's summit crater has increased since 17 August, following a period of slight fumarolic activity. Since then, the height of steam and gas explosions increased gradually from 200 to 1,000 m, and reached 3,000 m between 5 and 11 November; the number of ash explosions has increased as well. Since 4 November, lava fountains 300-500 m high from two vents in the crater have been observed. Lava flows more than 2 km long poured from the summit crater onto the SW and NE flanks of the volcano."

Moscow Domestic Service reported that powerful explosions occurred on the slope of the volcano on 2 December, and that eruptions at the summit were continuing.

[This report was not included in GV 75-85.]

Geological Summary. Klyuchevskoy is the highest and most active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Since its origin about 6,000 years ago, this symmetrical, basaltic stratovolcano has produced frequent moderate-volume explosive and effusive eruptions without major periods of inactivity. It rises above a saddle NE of Kamen volcano and lies SE of the broad Ushkovsky massif. More than 100 flank eruptions have occurred during approximately the past 3,000 years, with most lateral craters and cones occurring along radial fissures between the unconfined NE-to-SE flanks of the conical volcano between 500 and 3,600 m elevation. Eruptions recorded since the late 17th century have resulted in frequent changes to the morphology of the 700-m-wide summit crater. These eruptions over the past 400 years have originated primarily from the summit crater, but have also included numerous major explosive and effusive eruptions from flank craters.

Information Contacts: S. Fedotov, IV; Moscow Domestic Service.