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Mutnovsky

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Volcanic Region
  • Landform | Volc Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 52.449°N
  • 158.196°E

  • 2,288 m
    7,507 ft

  • 300060
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Weekly Report: 18 June-24 June 2008 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that seismic activity in the area of Gorely and Mutnovsky volcanoes decreased during 15-18 June. Moderate fumarolic activity was observed on 17 June; no activity was noted or cloud cover obscured views the other days during 14-20 June. The level of Concern Color Code was lowered to Green on 20 June.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


Most Recent Bulletin Report: September 2000 (BGVN 25:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Small phreatic(?) eruption on 30 June and continued fumarolic activity

Fumarolic activity continued from June through mid-October 2000. Volcanic tremor was slightly above background levels until it increased markedly at 1800 on 26 June. At 0751 on 30 June, seismicity indicated a short-lived vigorous phreatic(?) eruption. By 4 July, volcanic tremor decreased to background levels. Weak fumarolic activity continued to be observed, and on 22 July, a fumarolic plume rose 200-300 m above the volcano. On the same day, two small volcano-tectonic earthquakes occurred between Mutnovsky and neighboring Gorely volcano. Near noon on 31 July, a fumarolic plume rose 500 m above the summit.

A single volcano-tectonic earthquake occurred under the volcano on 9 August. A gas-and-steam plume rose to a height of 200-300 m and drifted 5 km E. On 30-31 August, a gas-and-steam plume rose 100-500 m above the volcano and moved 1 km NW. Fumarolic plumes rose 200-500 m above the summit on 1 and 7 September. Occasional fumarolic activity continued throughout September with plumes reaching up to 300 m above the volcano. On 8 October, gas-and-steam explosions rose 800-1,000 m above Mutnovsky and drifted NW. The following day, similar explosions rose 300-600 m and the plume extended 2 km E.

Information Contacts: Olga Chubarova, Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Response Team (KVERT), Institute of Volcanic Geology and Geochemistry, Piip Ave. 9, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, Russia; Tom Miller, Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a cooperative program of a) U.S. Geological Survey, 4200 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508-4667, USA (URL: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/), b) Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, PO Box 757320, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320, USA, and c) Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 794 University Ave., Suite 200, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA.

Weekly Reports - Index


2008: January | June
2005: June


18 June-24 June 2008 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that seismic activity in the area of Gorely and Mutnovsky volcanoes decreased during 15-18 June. Moderate fumarolic activity was observed on 17 June; no activity was noted or cloud cover obscured views the other days during 14-20 June. The level of Concern Color Code was lowered to Green on 20 June.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


11 June-17 June 2008 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that seismic activity in the area of Gorely and Mutnovsky volcanoes increased on 13 June. There is only one seismic station in the area of the two volcanoes, so the source of the seismicity could not be determined. Activity was not visually noted and satellite imagery was not available at the time of the seismicity increase. The level of Concern Color Code was raised to Yellow on 14 June.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


9 January-15 January 2008 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported on 11 January that seismic activity in the area of Mutnovsky and Gorely volcanoes was slightly elevated above background levels during the previous three weeks, but increasing activity was not confirmed. There is only one seismic station in the area of the two volcanoes so the source of the seismicity cannot be determined. Activity was not observed on satellite imagery. The level of Concern Color Code was lowered to Green.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


8 June-14 June 2005 Citation IconCite this Report

The Concern Color Code at Mutnovsky was reduced from Yellow to Green during 3-10 June. There were no significant changes in volcanic activity during the week. A thermal anomaly was observed at the volcano on satellite imagery, possibly due to the heat from a thermal field.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

08/1993 (BGVN 18:08) Rock avalanches observed within summit crater

12/1996 (BGVN 21:12) Fumarolic plume up to 1 km above the crater

04/2000 (BGVN 25:04) Two short-lived gas-and-ash explosions on 17 March

05/2000 (BGVN 25:05) 20 years of fumarolic increases precede 17 March eruption

09/2000 (BGVN 25:09) Small phreatic(?) eruption on 30 June and continued fumarolic activity




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


August 1993 (BGVN 18:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Rock avalanches observed within summit crater

During fieldwork on 17-18 September, two geologists from the IVGG noted large rock avalanches within the summit crater at intervals of several hours and intense melting of the glacier inside the crater. The observations indicate that activity inside the crater has increased compared to last year. The next day, a large rockslide (hundreds of thousands of tons of material) buried ~300 m of a trail in the crater under big blocks up to several meters high. Explosions from a vent in the central part of the crater ejected boiling mud several meters high. IVGG is advising hikers and other visitors to stay out of the crater until further notice.

Mutnovsky consists of four coalescing stratovolcanoes of predominantly basaltic composition with multiple summit craters. Holocene activity has been characterized by slight to moderate phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions. There have been 18 reported eruptions since historical activity began in the 17th century. The most recent activity was from December 1960 to January 1961, when weak explosive eruptions sent a gas-and-ash column 3.5-4 km high.

Information Contacts: V. Kirianov, IVGG.


December 1996 (BGVN 21:12) Citation IconCite this Report

Fumarolic plume up to 1 km above the crater

On 25 November, a fumarolic plume was observed rising to a height of 1 km above the crater.

Information Contacts: Tom Miller, Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a cooperative program of a) U.S. Geological Survey, 4200 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508-4667, USA (URL: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/), b) Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, PO Box 757320, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320, USA, and c) Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 794 University Ave., Suite 200, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA; Vladimir Kirianov, Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Response Team (KVERT), Institute of Volcanic Geology and Geochemistry, Piip Ave. 9, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, Russia.


April 2000 (BGVN 25:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Two short-lived gas-and-ash explosions on 17 March

Prior to 24 March 2000, KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team) had not included Mutnovsky in any activity reports this year. As of 28 April 2000, KVERT temporarily suspended operations because of a lack of funding.

After more precise analysis of visual reports from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and a comparison of signals from several seismic stations, KVERT determined that at 0700 on 17 March, a short-lived explosion sent a gas-and-steam plume to heights of ~1,000 m above the volcano; the plume disappeared within 30 minutes. At 1300 on 17 March, another gas-and-steam plume rose to about the same altitude and extended to the SE; activity ended by 1700. A corresponding shallow seismic event was registered at 1856, followed by a low-frequency (1 Hz) volcanic tremor. The hazard level was originally Yellow but was returned to Green later in the month, although episodes of low-level, low-frequency volcanic tremor continued. The volcano occasionally was obscured by clouds.

An increase in volcanic tremor occurred on 1 April from 1300-2100 and again at 0930-1700 on 13 April. The volcano remained quiet through the rest of April.

Information Contacts: Olga Chubarova, Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Response Team (KVERT), Institute of Volcanic Geology and Geochemistry, Piip Ave. 9, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, Russia; Tom Miller, Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a cooperative program of a) U.S. Geological Survey, 4200 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508-4667, USA (URL: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/), b) Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, PO Box 757320, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320, USA, and c) Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 794 University Ave., Suite 200, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA.


May 2000 (BGVN 25:05) Citation IconCite this Report

20 years of fumarolic increases precede 17 March eruption

Two minor phreatic explosions occurred at Mutnovsky on 17 March 2000 (see BGVN 25:04). Subsequent helicopter observations indicated that the eruption took place in the N crater of the volcano. This crater had been active prior to the middle 1950's, but was snow-and-ice filled over the last 20 years. The recent eruption produced small amounts of ash and blocks of altered rocks.

Clearly expressed precursors had provided strong indications that an eruption could be expected. In effect, scientists noted that over the last 20 years the heat output from the main crater increased and was accompanied by the appearance of new fumarolic grounds and an increase in the fumarolic temperature. They also detected a sudden activation of the alpine glacier had started about 5 years ago. Scientists also observed that during the last 5 years, the relative abundance of the chemical elements S/Cl and S/F in the water of Vulcannaya River, which drains the fumarolic fields of the NE and SE craters, increased 3- to 5-fold.

The low magnitude of the 16 March event, the seismicity which continued afterwards for several months, and the relatively long period of preparation may indicate that the explosion is merely a precursor to a stronger eruption in the near future.

Information Contacts: George Gavrilenko, Institute of Volcanology, Far East Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, Russia; Yuri Taran, Institute of Geophysics, UNAM, Mexico D.F. 04510 Mexico.


September 2000 (BGVN 25:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Small phreatic(?) eruption on 30 June and continued fumarolic activity

Fumarolic activity continued from June through mid-October 2000. Volcanic tremor was slightly above background levels until it increased markedly at 1800 on 26 June. At 0751 on 30 June, seismicity indicated a short-lived vigorous phreatic(?) eruption. By 4 July, volcanic tremor decreased to background levels. Weak fumarolic activity continued to be observed, and on 22 July, a fumarolic plume rose 200-300 m above the volcano. On the same day, two small volcano-tectonic earthquakes occurred between Mutnovsky and neighboring Gorely volcano. Near noon on 31 July, a fumarolic plume rose 500 m above the summit.

A single volcano-tectonic earthquake occurred under the volcano on 9 August. A gas-and-steam plume rose to a height of 200-300 m and drifted 5 km E. On 30-31 August, a gas-and-steam plume rose 100-500 m above the volcano and moved 1 km NW. Fumarolic plumes rose 200-500 m above the summit on 1 and 7 September. Occasional fumarolic activity continued throughout September with plumes reaching up to 300 m above the volcano. On 8 October, gas-and-steam explosions rose 800-1,000 m above Mutnovsky and drifted NW. The following day, similar explosions rose 300-600 m and the plume extended 2 km E.

Information Contacts: Olga Chubarova, Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Response Team (KVERT), Institute of Volcanic Geology and Geochemistry, Piip Ave. 9, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, Russia; Tom Miller, Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a cooperative program of a) U.S. Geological Survey, 4200 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508-4667, USA (URL: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/), b) Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, PO Box 757320, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320, USA, and c) Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 794 University Ave., Suite 200, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 45 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

2000 Jun 30 - 2000 Jun 30 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
2000 Jun 30 - 2000 Jun 30 Evidence from Observations: Hydrophonic

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor) Before eruption.
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor) After eruption.
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
2000 Jun 30    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

2000 Mar 17 - 2000 Mar 17 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption North crater
2000 Mar 17 - 2000 Mar 17 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at North crater

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor) After eruption.
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
2000 Mar 17    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1960 Dec 16 ± 15 days - 1961 Jan 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption West wall of SW crater
1960 Dec 16 ± 15 days - 1961 Jan 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at West wall of SW crater

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1960 Dec    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1991 Jun    - - - - Fatalities

1945 Jun 23 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1945 Jun 23 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1945 Jun 23    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1939 May Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1939 May - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1939 May    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1938 Nov Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1938 Nov - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1938 Nov    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1929 Feb Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1929 Feb - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1929 Feb    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1928 Jan 25 - 1928 Feb Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1928 Jan 25 - 1928 Feb Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1928 Jan 25    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1927 Jan - 1927 Feb Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1927 Jan - 1927 Feb Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1927 Jan    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1917 Jul 5 ± 4 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
1917 Jul 5 ± 4 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1917 Jul 5 ± 4 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1916 Dec Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1916 Dec - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1916 Dec    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1916 Jul 15 ± 5 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1916 Jul 15 ± 5 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1916 Jul 15 ± 5 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1904 Apr 2 - 1904 Jun 26 (in or after) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1904 Apr 2 - 1904 Jun 26 (in or after) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1904 Apr 2    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1898 Apr - 1898 Jul 15 ± 45 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1898 Apr - 1898 Jul 15 ± 45 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1898 Apr    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1853 Dec 18 - 1854 Mar Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1853 Dec 18 - 1854 Mar Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1853 Dec 18    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1853 Jan Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1853 Jan - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1853 Jan    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1852 Mar Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1852 Mar - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1852 Mar    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1848 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
1848 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1848    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1750 ± 50 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1750 ± 50 years - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1750 ± 50 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1650 ± 50 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1650 ± 50 years - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1650 ± 50 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1300 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1300 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1300
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0950 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
0950 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
0950
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0750 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
0750 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 6 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Avalanche
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Edifice Destroyed Collapse/avalanche
0750
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0250 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
0250 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
0250
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0050 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
0050 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
0050
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0100 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
0100 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
0100 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0200 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
0200 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
0200 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0450 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
0450 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
0450 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

2050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
2050 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
2050 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

2150 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
2150 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Directed Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
2150 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

2900 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
2900 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
2900 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

3650 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
3650 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
3650 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

4050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
4050 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
4050 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

4550 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
4550 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
4550 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

4650 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
4650 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
4650 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

4700 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
4700 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
4700 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

5000 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
5000 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
5000 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

5050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
5050 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Directed Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
5050 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

5250 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
5250 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
5250 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

5350 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
5350 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
5350 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

5450 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
5450 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
5450 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

5800 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
5800 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
5800 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

5900 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
5900 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
5900 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

6000 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
6000 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
6000 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

7550 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
7550 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
7550 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is data available for 1 deformation periods. Expand each entry for additional details.


Deformation during 2008 - 2013 [Subsidence; Observed by leveling]

Start Date: 2008 Stop Date: 2013 Direction: Subsidence Method: leveling
Magnitude: Unknown Spatial Extent: Unknown Latitude: Unknown Longitude: Unknown

Remarks: Reservoir depletion from exploitation of geothermal field


Reference List: Kiryukhin et al. 2014.

Full References:

Kiryukhin, A. V., J. Rutqvist, and M. A. Maguskin, 2014. Modeling of the vertical deformations during exploitation of the Mutnovsky geothermal field, Kamchatka. Proc. World Geotherm. Congr.-2015, Melbourne, Australia.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Mutnovsky.

Photo Gallery

Visokiy (left of center) is surrounded by young lava flows produced by regional basaltic volcanism, seen here from the southwest. Mutnovsky is the cone on the horizon and to the left is Gorely.

Photo by Andrei Tsvetkov, 1977.
Mutnovsky (center) one of the most active volcanoes of southern Kamchatka and is formed of four coalescing edifices, seen here from the west. The complex has multiple summit craters and historical eruptions have been explosive, with lava flows produced during 1904.

Photo by Andrei Tsvetkov.
The glacier-filled southern summit crater of Mutnovsky is seen here from the NE with Asacha in the distance. This crater is within a larger 1.5 x 2.1 km wide crater with walls 50-250 m high. Four smaller craters are on the northern rims of the summit crater complex. A steam plume rises from the historically active crater on the western rim of northern Mutnovsky crater.

Photo by Oleg Volynets (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
Dark-colored linear volcanic dikes, previous magma pathways, cut across altered pyroclastic rocks that are now exposed in the crater wall of northern Mutnovsky.

Photo by Oleg Volynets, 1971 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
Gases rise from a sulfur-encrusted, ~2 m high fumarolic vent on Mutnovsky. Widespread fumarolic activity occurs in several craters. The Verkhneye fumarole field covers a 3,200 m2 area of the NW part of the active crater. The Donnoye fumarole field on northern Mutnovsky occupies a former crater lake.

Photo by Phil Austin, University of Southern Florida, 1992 (courtesy of Pavel Kepezhinskas).
Plumes rise from geothermal prospects drilled during the late 1970's on the NE flank of Mutnovsky in this 1986 photo. The wells yielded a steam-gas mixture from depths of 60-1,200 m. The steep-sided Vilyuchik volcano appears in the background to the NE.

Photo by Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Response Team, 1986 (courtesy of Dan Miller, U.S. Geological Survey).
Vilyuchik volcano to the right is located NE of Mutnovsky volcano. Clouds fill one of the snow-mantled summit craters of the Mutnovsky, one of the most active volcanoes of southern Kamchatka. Koryaksky (left) and Avachinsky (right) volcanoes rise in the far-distance across cloud-covered Avachinsky bay.

Photo by Oleg Volynets, 1971 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 7 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number Sample Description Lava Source Collection Date
NMNH 116556-27 Dacite -- --
NMNH 116556-28 Dacite -- --
NMNH 116556-29 Basalt -- --
NMNH 116556-30 Andesite -- --
NMNH 116556-31 Andesitic Basalt -- --
NMNH 116556-32 Basalt -- --
NMNH 116556-33 Sulfur -- --
External Sites