KVERT reported that seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi was above background levels during 12-14 November and at background levels during 15-19 November. A weak thermal anomaly over the volcano was detected daily in satellite imagery. Fumarolic activity was observed during 16-18 November; cloud cover prevented observations on the other days. Satellite imagery also showed an ash plume that drifted 40 km NE on 13 November and a gas-and-steam plume that drifted 28 km NE the next day. The Aviation Color Code level 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.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)