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Report on Bezymianny (Russia) — 17 June-23 June 2009


Bezymianny

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 17 June-23 June 2009
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2009. Report on Bezymianny (Russia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 17 June-23 June 2009. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (17 June-23 June 2009)

Bezymianny

Russia

55.972°N, 160.595°E; summit elev. 2882 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Reports from KVERT since August 2008 have indicated continuing dome growth and weak fumarolic activity at Bezymianny, with thermal anomalies visible in satellite data when the volcano was visible. Over the previous month such anomalies were seen on 21 and 30 May, and 2-4, 7, and 11-14 June.

Geological Summary. The modern Bezymianny, much smaller than its massive neighbors Kamen and Kliuchevskoi on the Kamchatka Peninsula, was formed about 4,700 years ago over a late-Pleistocene lava-dome complex and an edifice built about 11,000-7,000 years ago. Three periods of intensified activity have occurred during the past 3,000 years. The latest period, which was preceded by a 1,000-year quiescence, began with the dramatic 1955-56 eruption. This eruption, similar to that of St. Helens in 1980, produced a large open crater that was formed by collapse of the summit and an associated lateral blast. Subsequent episodic but ongoing lava-dome growth, accompanied by intermittent explosive activity and pyroclastic flows, has largely filled the 1956 crater.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)