Report on Gorely (Russia) — 23 June-29 June 2010
Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 23 June-29 June 2010
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2010. Report on Gorely (Russia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 23 June-29 June 2010. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Gorely
Russia
52.5549°N, 158.0358°E; summit elev. 1799 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
KVERT reported that during 17-25 June seismic activity from Gorely was above background levels, and gas-and-steam plumes rose from the crater. A volcanologist working at Gorely on 17 June saw that a new vent had opened on the crater's inner NE wall, above the level of the lake. The vent opening was incandescent, and gas was emitted at temperatures of 800-900 degrees Celsius. Analysis of satellite imagery showed a thermal anomaly over Gorely during 17-18 and 21-23 June; cloud cover prevented observations on other days. The Level of Aviation Color Code was raised to Yellow.
Geological Summary. Gorely volcano consists of five small overlapping stratovolcanoes constructed along a WNW-ESE line within a large 9 x 13 km caldera. The caldera formed about 38,000-40,000 years ago accompanied by the eruption of about 100 km3 of tephra. The massive complex includes about 40 cinder cones, some of which contain acid or freshwater crater lakes; three major rift zones cut the complex. Another Holocene stratovolcano is located on the SW flank. Activity during the Holocene was characterized by frequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions along with a half dozen episodes of major lava extrusion. Early Holocene explosive activity, along with lava flows filled in much of the caldera. Quiescent periods became longer between 6,000 and 2,000 years ago, after which the activity was mainly explosive. About 600-650 years ago intermittent strong explosions and lava flow effusion accompanied frequent eruptions. Historical eruptions have consisted of moderate Vulcanian and phreatic explosions.