The Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS) reported that eruptive activity at Bezymianny continued during 6-13 July. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 5 km a.s.l., or around 2.1 km above the summit, and drifted W and SW during 6-7 July. Gas-and-steam plumes with possible ash content rose as high as 3.3 km a.s.l., or about 400 m above the summit, and drifted SW and W during 8-9 July. Thermal anomalies were visible during 6-10 July. Weather clouds obscured views during 10-13 July.

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: Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (IVS) of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS)