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Report on Klyuchevskoy (Russia) — 8 April-14 April 2009


Klyuchevskoy

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 8 April-14 April 2009
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2009. Report on Klyuchevskoy (Russia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 8 April-14 April 2009. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (8 April-14 April 2009)

Klyuchevskoy

Russia

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


KVERT reported that fumarolic activity from Kliuchevskoi was observed during 3-10 April. Satellite imagery indicated a thermal anomaly over the volcano on 5 and 6 April, and weak volcanic tremor was detected during 5-8 April. Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Tokyo VAAC reported that a possible eruption on 9 April produced a plume that rose to an altitude of 4.9 km (16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. Imagery later indicated that any ash that may have been present had dissipated. On 11 April, imagery again indicated a possible eruption; any resultant ash plumes had dissipated by a few hours later. The Level of Concern Color remained at Yellow.

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.

Sources: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)