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Report on Bezymianny (Russia) — 26 October-1 November 2022


Bezymianny

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 26 October-1 November 2022
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2022. Report on Bezymianny (Russia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 26 October-1 November 2022. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (26 October-1 November 2022)

Bezymianny

Russia

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


KVERT reported that notable activity continued after the strong explosive 23-24 October phase at Bezymianny through 27 October. Intense fumarolic activity was visible, the lava dome was incandescent at night, and collapses from the dome produced avalanches of hot material. Ash plumes from the collapses were sometimes large; on 26 October an ash cloud 10x13 km in dimension drifted 70 km E on 26 October, prompting KVERT to raise the Aviation Color Code to Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale) the next day. Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.

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)