Report on Klyuchevskoy (Russia) — 3 March-9 March 2004
Smithsonian / US Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report,
3 March-9 March 2004
Managing Editor: Gari Mayberry
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2004. Report on Klyuchevskoy (Russia). In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 3 March-9 March 2004. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Klyuchevskoy
Russia
56.056°N, 160.642°E; summit elev. 4754 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
KVERT reduced the Concern Color Code at Kliuchevskoi from Orange to Yellow during 27 February to 5 March. Seismicity was slightly above background levels during 26-27 February and at background levels the rest of the week. Several shallow earthquakes up to M 2.2 were recorded, along with spasmodic tremor. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to low levels.
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.