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Tolbachik

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Volcanic Region
  • Landform | Volc Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 55.832°N
  • 160.326°E

  • 3,611 m
    11,847 ft

  • 300240
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Weekly Report: 21 August-27 August 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 16-22 August that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery.

Seismic activity decreased during 22-24 August. Video images showed no incandescence from the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol, although a thermal anomaly continued to be detected in satellite images. On 27 August the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


Most Recent Bulletin Report: October 2017 (BGVN 42:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Eruption that started in late November 2012 ends by mid-September 2013

The most recent eruption began on 27 November 2012 along two fissures a few kilometers S of the main Tolbachik edifice, within the Tolbachinsky Dol lava plateau (BGVN 37:12). Monitoring is done by the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT); they recorded an end date for this eruption as 15 September 2013.

Activity reported through February 2013 included Strombolian fire fountains (figure 14), voluminous lava flows on the surface (figure 15 and 16) and under the ice and snow cover (figure 17), ash explosions, and the building of cinder cones (BGVN 37:12). Satellite imagery in early June 2013 revealed both a lava pond at the active vent and a large lava flow lower down the flank, with multiple flow-front breakouts (figure 18). Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure through 16-22 August 2013, and lava flows remained active (figure 19), but then gas-and-ash plumes weakened and seismicity decreased during the last week of the month (BGVN 38:08).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 14. Lava fountain in the cinder cone at Tolbachik on 24 January 2013. Photo by Yu. Demyanchuk; courtesy of IVS FEB RAS and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 15. Photo of lava flow at Tolbachik on 25 January 2013. Photo by Yu. Demyanchuk; courtesy of IVS FEB RAS and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 16. Lava flows moving ESE at Tolbachik on 25 February 2013. Photo by Yu. Demyanchuk; courtesy of IVS FEB RAS and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 17. Photo of a lava flow intruding under deep snow at Tolbachik on 25 February 2013. Photo by Yu. Demyanchuk; courtesy of IVS FEB RAS and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 18. False-color image of Tolbachinsky in shortwave infrared and near-infrared light (combined with green light), taken on 6 June 2013 by the Advanced Land Imager on the Earth Observing-1 satellite. Hot surfaces glow in shortwave infrared wavelengths. The active vent and lava flow are bright red, along with scattered lava "breakouts"at the front of the flow. High temperature surfaces in the scene also glow in near infrared light, revealing a lava pond in the active vent and fluid lava in the center of the lava flow. Courtesy of NASA (image by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, caption by Robert Simmon).
Figure (see Caption) Figure 19. Photo of lava flow front adjacent to the Kruglenkaya slag cone at Tolbachik on 16 August 2013. Photo by D.V. Melnikov; courtesy of IVS FEB RAS and KVERT.

Seismicity continued to decrease during 22-24 August 2013, and KVERT noted on 27 August that no incandescence had been seen in recent days, and there were no current ash plumes. Satellite data did still show a large thermal anomaly in the northern area of Tolbachinsky Dol, which KVERT attributed to the lava flows remaining hot. The MODIS thermal anomaly data recorded in the MODVOLC system identified the latest hotspot on 27 August 2013. According to the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), the Aviation Color Code (ACC) was lowered from Orange to Yellow on 27 August 2013.

When the ACC was lowered to Green on 31 January 2014, KVERT reported that weak seismic activity and episodes of tremor continued, gas-and-steam activity was sometimes observed, and satellite data continued to show a weak thermal anomaly. However, they also stated that "probably its active phase was finishing in September 2013." The KVERT website recorded an end date of 15 September 2013. The new lava flows were still noticeable in visible satellite imagery more than a year after the eruption ended (figure 20).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 20. Satellite image from Landsat/Copernicus showing the final extent of new lava flows on the SSW flank of Tolbachik on 30 December 2014. The new lava flows extend across the center of the image, with the main edifice at top right. Color and contrast have been adjusted to enhance the contrast between fresh darker lava and faded older deposits. Courtesy of Google Earth.

Information Contacts: Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Response Team (KVERT), Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 9 Piip Blvd., Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, Russia (URL: http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/); Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (IVS FEB RAS), 9 Piip Blvd., Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky 683006, Russia (URL: http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/eng/); Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) - MODVOLC Thermal Alerts System, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Univ. of Hawai'i, 2525 Correa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA (URL: http://modis.higp.hawaii.edu/); NASA Earth Observatory, EOS Project Science Office, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Goddard, Maryland, USA (URL: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/); Google Earth (URL: https://www.google.com/earth/).

Weekly Reports - Index


2013: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August
2012: November | December


21 August-27 August 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 16-22 August that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery.

Seismic activity decreased during 22-24 August. Video images showed no incandescence from the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol, although a thermal anomaly continued to be detected in satellite images. On 27 August the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


14 August-20 August 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 9-17 August that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


7 August-13 August 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 2-9 August that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


31 July-6 August 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 26 July-2 August that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


24 July-30 July 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 19-26 July that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


17 July-23 July 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 12-19 July that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


10 July-16 July 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 5-12 July that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


3 July-9 July 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 28 June-5 July that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


26 June-2 July 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 21-28 June that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


19 June-25 June 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 14-21 June that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


12 June-18 June 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 7-14 June that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


5 June-11 June 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 31 May-7 June that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


29 May-4 June 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 24-31 May that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


22 May-28 May 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 17-24 May that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


15 May-21 May 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 10-16 May that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and gas-and-ash plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


8 May-14 May 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 3-10 May that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and gas-and-ash plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


1 May-7 May 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 26 April-3 May that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure and gas-and-ash plumes were observed. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


24 April-30 April 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 19-26 April that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


17 April-23 April 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 12-19 April that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


10 April-16 April 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 5-12 April that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. A weak thermal anomaly was detected over the crater of the volcano on 6 and 9 April. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


3 April-9 April 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 29 March-5 April that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the fissure. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


27 March-2 April 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 22-29 March that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the fissure. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


20 March-26 March 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 15-22 March that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the fissure. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


13 March-19 March 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 8-15 March that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the fissure. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


6 March-12 March 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 28 February-7 March that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the fissure. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


27 February-5 March 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 22 February-1 March that traveled to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow on the fissure. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


20 February-26 February 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 15-22 February that traveled to the W, S, and SE sides of the plateau. Four cinder cones continued to grow on the S fissure above Krasny cone. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


13 February-19 February 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 8-15 February that traveled to the W, S, and SE sides of the plateau. Four cinder cones continued to grow on the S fissure above Krasny cone. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


6 February-12 February 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 1-8 February that traveled to the W and S sides of the plateau. Four cinder cones continued to grow on the S fissure above Krasny cone. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


30 January-5 February 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 25 January-1 February that traveled to the W and S sides of Tolbachinsky Dol. Four cinder cones continued to grow on the S fissure above Krasny cone. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


23 January-29 January 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 18-25 January that traveled to the W and S sides of Tolbachinsky Dol. Four cinder cones continued to grow on the S fissure above Krasny cone. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


16 January-22 January 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 11-18 January that traveled to the W and S sides of Tolbachinsky Dol. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


9 January-15 January 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 4-15 January that traveled to the W and SE sides of Tolbachinsky Dol. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4.5 km (14,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


2 January-8 January 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 28 December-8 January. Strong seismicity was detected. Gas-and-ash plumes drifted in multiple directions, and a fifth cone continued to grow above the fissure. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Based on information from KVERT, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 7 January an ash plume rose to altitudes of 3.7-4.3 km (12,000-14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE.

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT); Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)


26 December-1 January 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows during 21-28 December. Strong seismicity was detected. Gas-and-ash plumes drifted in multiple directions, and a fifth cone continued to grow above the fissure. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


19 December-25 December 2012 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows that traveled 17-20 km during 17-21 December. Strong seismicity was detected. Gas-and-ash plumes drifted in multiple directions, and a fifth cone grew above the fissure. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


12 December-18 December 2012 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of Tolbachik, continued to produce very fluid lava flows that traveled 17-20 km during 7-17 December. Strong seismicity was detected. Ash plumes rose less than 1 km and drifted in multiple directions, and at least two cones grew above the fissure. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible in satellite imagery. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


5 December-11 December 2012 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that the eruption from Tolbachik that began on 27 November continued through 8 December. A very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of the volcano, was reported daily. Lava effused from two fissures along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol; lava had flowed 17-20 km away from the S fissure by 7 December. Ash plumes rose less than 500 m during 1-5 December, and minor ashfall was reported in Kozyrevsk (40 km NW) and Klyuchi (65 km NW) villages on 3 December. Gas-and-steam plumes drifted 250 km SE on 5 December, and rose as high as 1 km during 7-11 December and drifted SW and W. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)


28 November-4 December 2012 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that an eruption from Tolbachik that began on 27 November continued through 30 November. Lava effused from two fissures along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of the volcano, and ash plumes rose less than 500 m on 28 November. A large thermal anomaly was detected on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol. On 29 November the Aviation Color Code was raised to Red. Ash plumes rose less than 500 m and drifted 300 km ESE. Later that day seismicity decreased and the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Orange. During 29 November-1 December Strombolian activity and lava effusion from two fissures continued. A large thermal anomaly continued to be detected in satellite imagery, and ashfall was reported in Kozyrevsk (40 km NW). According to a news article on 30 November, the lava flows destroyed two scientific base camps 10 km away. On 1 December gas-and-steam plumes with small amounts of ash rose over 400 m.

Based on information from UHPP (Yelizovo Airport), the Tokyo VAAC reported that ash plumes rose to altitudes of 4-6.1 km (13,000-20,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N and NW during 29-30 November and 3 December.

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT); Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)


21 November-27 November 2012 Citation IconCite this Report

KVERT reported that episodes of volcanic tremor were detected in the area of Plosky Tolbachik during 7-10, 18, and 26 November. The number of shallow volcanic earthquakes increased to 250 on 26 November. A strong event occurred at 1652 on 27 November. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Yellow. That same day observers from Kozyrevsk (40 km NW) and Lazo (50 km SW) villages reported ash explosions and lava flows at Tolbachinsky Dol, in the same area as the 1975 eruption (northern vents). Ashfall, 4 cm thick, was reported in Krasny Yar (60 km NNW). The Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange. Based on information from the Kamchatka Branch of Geophysical Services (KGBS), the Tokyo VAAC reported that ash plumes possibly rose to altitudes of 6.1-10.1 km (20,000-33,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes were not detected in satellite imagery. Plume altitudes were estimated based on seismic data.

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT); Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)


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.

09/1970 (CSLP 00-70) Lava in crater; scoria ejections

07/1975 (CSLP 51-75) Explosions from four flank vents of Plosky Tolbachik

08/1975 (CSLP 51-75) Ash and lava emission from new cone on the S slope of Plosky Tolbachik

04/1976 (NSEB 01:07) Eruption that began in July 1975 is continuing

05/1976 (NSEB 01:08) Eruption now almost a year old; possibly four new cones

01/1994 (BGVN 19:01) Seismic monitoring stations installed; activity at background levels

11/1994 (BGVN 19:11) Seismic station closed

02/1999 (BGVN 24:02) Gas-and-steam explosion; minor seismicity

12/2012 (BGVN 37:12) Seismicity precedes onset of dual fissure eruption in November 2012

08/2013 (BGVN 38:08) Strombolian eruption during 2012-2013 produced lava flows 17-20 km long

10/2017 (BGVN 42:10) Eruption that started in late November 2012 ends by mid-September 2013




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


September 1970 (CSLP 00-70)

Lava in crater; scoria ejections

Card 1018 (25 September 1970) Lava in crater; scoria ejections

The following cable was received [on] 25 September 1970. "Plosky Tolbachik: Lava appeared in crater; weak scoria outbursts few meters height."

Information Contacts: Y.M. Doubik, Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk.


July 1975 (CSLP 51-75)

Explosions from four flank vents of Plosky Tolbachik

Card 2216 (08 July 1975) Explosions from four flank vents of Plosky Tolbachik

The eruption of Plosky Tolbachik volcano commenced from the flank craters on 6 July 1975 at 0045 GMT. Four explosion vents located 18 km from the main crater are active. The place and time of eruption were predicted by Dr. Tokarev according to the character of the seismic activity.

Information Contacts: Y. Doubik, IVP.


August 1975 (CSLP 51-75)

Ash and lava emission from new cone on the S slope of Plosky Tolbachik

Card 2245 (07 August 1975) Ash and lava emission from new cone on the S slope of Plosky Tolbachik

A volcanic cone 250 m high and 1,200 m in diameter has formed on the south slope of Plosky Tolbachik volcano. Violent activity was observed from 9 to 23 July, producing an ash column 8 km high and bomb outbursts up to 2,500 m. The ashfall area covers 200 km2, and the total of the ash and scoria amounts to 500 m3. On 30 July a lava outflow began issuing from a 1-km-long eruptive fissure on the southwest slope of the new volcanic cone. There is a danger of forest fires.

Information Contacts: Y. Doubik, IVP.


April 1976 (NSEB 01:07) Citation IconCite this Report

Eruption that began in July 1975 is continuing

The eruption of Plosky Tolbachik volcano, which started in July 1975, is continuing.

Information Contacts: Y. Doubik, IVP.


May 1976 (NSEB 01:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Eruption now almost a year old; possibly four new cones

Plosky Tolbachik has been in a state of eruption for almost a year. It was reported on 17 May that a new volcano was developing near there, and a group of IVP scientists is investigating the eruption. They stated that "this is one of the biggest and most interesting volcanic eruptions this century." Reportedly, a chain of new volcanoes was formed during the eruption, four of which are fairly large. "Streams of fire" have been active for nearly a year.

Information Contacts: Y. Doubik, IVP.


January 1994 (BGVN 19:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic monitoring stations installed; activity at background levels

Seismic monitoring . . . by the KVERT began in late January 1994 when two stations were installed. Since then seismicity was considered to be at background levels. One earthquake was registered on 25 January. During the period from 28 January to 2 February, shallow volcanic earthquakes were registered at a rate of 5-13/day. The following week (3-8 February) there were 1-4 shallow earthquakes recorded each day.

Information Contacts: V. Kirianov, IVGG.


November 1994 (BGVN 19:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic station closed

[Following notice in early December that seismic stations at Shiveluch and Tolbachik had closed, on 22 December the following message was sent from the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO): "KVERT [Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Response Team] has informed AVO that, because of a long delay in promised funding from the Ministry of Transportation in Moscow, KVERT must suspend transmittal of information on volcanic activity in Kamchatka. The length of the suspension is unknown at this time.]

Information Contacts: V. Kirianov, IVGG; T. Miller, AVO.


February 1999 (BGVN 24:02) Citation IconCite this Report

Gas-and-steam explosion; minor seismicity

On 18 February, a gas-and-steam explosion generated a plume to 600 m above the volcano. Small (magnitudes near zero) shallow earthquakes were registered under the volcano and continued through the month, coincident with M 1.5 events at 15-30 km depth. No further unusual seismicity was reported as of mid-March.

The massive Tolbachik basaltic volcano is located at the southern end of the dominantly andesitic Kliuchevskaya volcano group. The Tolbachik massif is composed of two overlapping, but morphologically dissimilar volcanoes. The flat-topped Plosky Tolbachik shield volcano with its nested Holocene Hawaiian-type calderas up to 3 km in diameter is located east of the older and higher sharp-topped Ostry Tolbachik stratovolcano. Lengthy rift zones extending NE and SSW of the volcano have erupted voluminous basaltic lava flows during the Holocene, with activity during the past two thousand years being confined to the narrow axial zone of the rifts. The last eruptive activity, in 1975-76, vented from both the summit and SSW-flank fissures; it was the largest historical basaltic eruption in Kamchatka.

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.


December 2012 (BGVN 37:12) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismicity precedes onset of dual fissure eruption in November 2012

Nearly 36 years after its last eruption, the largest basaltic eruption in Kamchatka during historic times (1975/76 eruptions; CSLP 51-75; SEAN 01:07, 01:08), Tolbachik (figure 1) began erupting again on 27 November 2012 following almost three weeks of episodic volcanic tremor. The eruption emerged as two fissures along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol (a lava plateau along the SW flank of Tolbachik), in the same area as the northern vents of the 1975/76 eruptions. The eruption produced both effusive lava flows and explosions that generated low-level ash-bearing plumes.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) colored elevation and shaded relief map highlighting the location of Tolbachik at the S end of the Kliuchevskoi (Kliuchevskaya) volcanic group, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia (inset shows regional setting, with the Kamchatka peninsula highlighted in dark gray at the top right, and the location of the Kliuchevskoi volcanic group indicated by the star). Tolbachik comprises the flat-topped Plosky Tolbachik shield volcano (and its nested calderas) to the E and the sharp-topped Ostry Tolbachik stratovolcano to the W. SRTM map modified from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; inset regional map modified from Wikipedia.

This report mainly summarizes Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) daily and weekly reports and information releases concerning the ongoing (as of early February 2013) Tolbachik fissure eruption.

Seismicity preceding 27 November 2012 eruption. Episodic tremor was recorded at Tolbachik during 7-10, 18, and 26 November 2012; KVERT noted a distinct difference between these episodes of tremor and discrete events that had occurred over "many years" prior. Shallow volcanic earthquakes began on 26 November, increasing in number to ~267 through 27 November. The Aviation Color Code was raised from Green to Yellow (on a scale increasing from Green-Yellow-Orange-Red) on 27 November. In a daily report discussing activity on 27 November, KVERT reported that shallow events, possibly indicating ash explosions, had occurred during 1715-2000. The Kamchatka Branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences (KB GS RAS) reported a strong seismic event at 1752 that day. Informed by KB GS RAS, the Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) posted a volcanic ash advisory at 1837 (table 1). The ash explosions prompted KVERT to raise the Aviation Color Code to Orange. Continuos tremor occurred for the rest of the day, indicating possible lava flows.

Table 1. Summary of Tokyo VAAC volcanic ash (VA) advisories for Tolbachik during November 2012-January 2013. Plume heights are reported in km above sea level (a.s.l.); '-' indicates data not reported. Note that the fissures are at approximately 1,600-1,700 m elevation, and not at the summit (3,682 m elevation), thus complicating plume height estimates. Yelizovo Airport is indicated as a data source by its airport code, UHPP. All times are local (UTC - 12 hours). Courtesy of Tokyo VAAC.

Date Time Plume Altitude (km) Drift Direction Remarks (data source)
27 Nov 2012 1837 6.1 -- Eruption reported at 1715 (KB GS RAS)
27 Nov 2012 2313 10.05 NNW Eruption (KB GS RAS)
29 Nov 2012 1003 3.95 N VA reported (UHPP)
29 Nov 2012 1500 3.65 SE VA reported (KVERT)
29 Nov 2012 1746 3.95 SE Continuing emissions (satellite imagery)
29 Nov 2012 2355 3.95 SE Continuing emissions (satellite imagery)
30 Nov 2012 0600 3.95 N Continuing emissions (satellite imagery)
30 Nov 2012 1152 -- -- VA dissipated on imagery (satellite imagery)
30 Nov 2012 1634 NVA reported (UHPP)
03 Dec 2012 2138 4.25 NW VA reported (UHPP)
05 Dec 2012 1221 4.25 SE VA reported (KVERT)
07 Dec 2012 1431 4.25 SW VA reported (KVERT)
13 Dec 2012 1139 3.05 NE VA reported (KVERT)
13 Dec 2012 1232 4.55 E VA reported (UHPP)
14 Dec 2012 1209 3.05 NE VA reported (KVERT)
27 Dec 2012 1126 5.2 SE VA reported (UHPP)
07 Jan 2013 1145 3.65 NE VA reported (KVERT)
07 Jan 2013 1202 4.25 NE VA reported (KVERT)

Observations reveal two fissure vents. By the early morning of 28 November 2012, observers in Kozyrevsk (~40 km NW) and Lazo (~50 km SW) had reported periodic incandescence from Tolbachik during the night. Later that morning, observers in the same locations reported ash explosions and lava flows in the area of the northern vents of the 1975/76 eruptions, along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol.

The first available photograph of the eruption showed that lava was issuing through two fissures (figure 2). Ashfall 4-cm-deep was reported in Krasny Yar (~60 km NNW) by midday on 28 November (figure 3). According to a KVERT information release, the Aviation Color Code was raised to Red for a brief period on 29 November, but this was not reflected in the daily reports; the Aviation Color Code remained Orange for the remainder of the reporting interval.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 2. The first available photograph of the Tolbachik dual fissure eruption that began on 27 November 2012. Fire fountaining through two fissure vents are seen generating ash plumes that reached ~3 km above sea level on 28 November 2012. Courtesy of Dmitry Melnikov (IVS FED RAS) and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 3. Ashfall from Tolbachik was reported in Krasny Yar (~60 km NNW). Two deposits are distinguishable, separated by fresh snowfall; lens cap for scale. Courtesy of Y. Demyanchuk (IVS FED RAS) and KVERT.

KVERT reported on 28 November that the N and S fissures were located 4-5 km and 6-7 km S of Plosky Tolbachik, respectively. Plosky Tolbachik is a shield volcano with nested summit calderas that makes up the E half of Tolbachik; the W portion of Tolbachik is the sharply-peaked Ostry Tolbachik stratovolcano (figures 1 and 4). At that time, Strombolian activity (figure 5) was observed at 4-5 vents in the N fissure and 2-3 vents in the S fissure; the very fluid lavas (figure 6) were flowing, often in 'lava rivers', to the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol (figure 7), and KVERT noted a large thermal anomaly over the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol (figure 8). Observers reported booming noises and vibrating windowpanes.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 4. Tolbachik viewed from the NNE on 13 December 2012, showing Plosky Tolbachik, the shield volcano, and its large, nested summit calderas on the left (E) and Ostry Tolbachik, the sharply peaked stratovolcano on the right (W). An E-drifting plume is seen rising from the fissure eruption on Tolbachinsky Dol to the S (in the background). Courtesy of Y. Demyanchuk (IVS FEB RAS) and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 5. Strombolian activity during the eruption from the S fissure of Tolbachinsky Dol on 29 November 2012. Courtesy of S. Samoilenko and A. Sokorenko (IVS FEB RAS) and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 6. Photographs highlighting the very fluid nature of lavas effused from the fissure eruption of Tolbachinsky Dol. (a) Fluid lavas from the S fissure of Tolbachinsky Dol flowing in a 'lava river' on 6 December 2012. A dog is in the foreground for scale. Courtesy of V. Yaschuk (KB GS RAS) and KVERT. (b) A 'lava river', presumably effused from the S fissure, flowing around a 'lava island' on 23 January 2013. Courtesy of Y. Demyanchuk (IVS FEB RAS) and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 7. A false color infrared satellite image showing lava flowing W from the fissure eruption of Tolbachinsky Dol; snow appears green in this image. The fissure vents are hidden behind the plume in the N part of the image. To the S of the lava flow are cinder cones from the 1975/76 eruption of Tolbachik. The image was collected on 1 December 2012 by the Advanced Land Imager on the Earth Observing-1 Satellite; courtesy of NASA Earth Observatory.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 8. A MODVOLC thermal alert image for 29 November 2012 showing a large thermal anomaly over the N portion of Tolbachinsky Dol, resulting from the eruption of lava through two fissure vents. This image is a combination of multiple pixel alerts registered at 7 different times during the same day. Courtesy of the Hawai`i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) Thermal Alerts System.

On 29 November, seismicity declined, and KVERT characterized the eruption as effusive; renewed seismicity occurred the next day, and a gas-and-steam plume with small amounts of ash rising to ~3 km was reported. Lava flows from the N fissure destroyed two scientific base camps located ~10 km from Tolbachik.

Cinder cones grow on S fissure; new fumarole. A KVERT weekly report issued on 6 December 2012 noted that cinder cones were growing on the S fissure, and that lava effused from the S fissure had flowed up to 20 km away by 7 December. A fumarole was observed at the bottom of the Plosky Tolbachik caldera on 8 December (figure 9); this was the first fumarole observed in the caldera in ~30 years. On 9 December KVERT daily reports began stating that the effusion of lava was continuing from the S fissure, no longer mentioning the N fissure.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 9. A new fumarole that was observed in the Plosky Tolbachik caldera on 8 December 2012. KVERT reported that this is the first fumarole in the caldera in ~30 years. Courtesy of O. Evdokimova (IVS FEB RAS) and KVERT.

By the end of December, KVERT reported that five cinder cones were growing on the S fissure (e.g. figure 10); by 10 January 2013, however, KVERT reported only four cinder cones on the S fissure.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 10. Strombolian activity within a cinder cone on the S fissure of Tolbachinsky Dol on 27 December 2012. The strombolian activity is feeding a lava river, flowing to the left. Courtesy of Y. Demyanchuk (IVS FEB RAS) and KVERT.

As of early February 2013, the eruption continued to produce very fluid lava flows, four growing cinder cones, gas-and-steam plumes with variable ash contents that often reached ~4 km a.s.l. and drifted in various directions, and daily thermal alerts above Tolbachinsky Dol. Two examples of eruptive products from the eruption are shown in figure 11.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 11. Examples of eruptive products from the fissure eruption of Tolbachik that began on 27 November 2012 (ongoing as of early February 2013). (a) Vesicular lava sample (of unspecified dimensions and source location) photographed on 15 December 2012, displaying a very fluidal texture. (b) A volcanic bread-crust bomb photographed in situ (unspecified dimensions and source location) on 24 January 2013. Courtesy of Y. Demyanchuk (IVS FEB RAS) and KVERT.

Information Contacts: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Institute of Volcanic Geology and Geochemistry, Piip Ave. 9, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, Russia; Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Tokyo, Japan (URL: http://ds.data.jma.go.jp/svd/vaac/data/); Kamchatka Branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences (KB GS RAS), Piip Ave. 9, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, Russia; Yelizovo Airport (UHPP), Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka Krai, Russia; NASA Earth Observatory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (URL: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/); NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (URL: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/); Wikipedia (URL: http://www.wikipedia.org/).


August 2013 (BGVN 38:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Strombolian eruption during 2012-2013 produced lava flows 17-20 km long

In our last Bulletin report (BGVN 37:12), we noted that nearly 36 years after its last eruption, the largest basaltic eruption in Kamchatka during historic times, Tolbachik began erupting again on 27 November 2012. The eruption emerged at two fissures situated along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol (a lava plateau along the SW flank of Plosky Tolbachik), in the same area as the northern vents of the 1975/76 eruptions. The 2012 eruption produced both low viscosity and effusive lava flows, and its explosions generated low-level ash-bearing plumes. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange until 27 August 2013 when it was lowered to Yellow.

Edwards and others (2013) noted that at the vent on 25 January 2013, molten lava bombs shot more than 100 m above the crater floor. That reference also featured a mid-February 2013 photo showing a pahoehoe lava flow ~1 m thick. The authors stated evidence that the flow had advanced over the top of the snow.

Lavas emitted were voluminous, highly fluid, and extended as far as 17-20 km from the S fissure (figure 12). Satellite radar data mapped the lavas, which first traveled radially away from the highlands, going S. At lower elevations, flows branched and traveled W as a series of anastomosing flows (Edwards and others, 2013).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 12. Map showing lava fields and the main vent (star) as of 15 February 2013. The lighting and shading effects show topography derived from a Shuttle Radar Topography Mission X-band digital elevation model (DEM; the technique applied here is called hillshade). Three older, preexisting cinder cones are shown as geographic reference points (Belaya Gorka, Kleshnya, and Krasny). Two areas where lava tubes are feeding surface flows are also indicated (orange circles with black centers). From Edwards and others (2013).

According to Edwards and others (2013), observers on 29 November 2012 noted ash ejecting from two fractures as well as long, rapidly moving lava flows. Although the initial ash clouds reached 6 km in height, subsequent ashfall was limited to the area around the main vents. No permanent settlements were in danger from advancing lava flows since the closest settlements were about 40 km from the volcano.

According to Mayotte and others (2013), the new Tolbachik fissure eruption began with the effusion and explosion of aluminous, K- and Ti-rich trachy-basaltic andesites. Those andesites were black and sub-aphyric, with rare phenocrysts of plagioclase, olivine, and clinopyroxene. Microlites of the groundmass contained pilotaxitic and hyalopilitic structures with dovetail shapes. The petrography of the volcanic rocks of the first days of eruption attests to very rapid cooling, high rates of eruption, and high lava mobility.

On 19 December 2012, KVERT recognized that there were, by then, five cones with tops protruding above the fissure. In February 2013, four cones were reported. During mid-December 2012 to late August 2013, a very large thermal anomaly was reported on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol. The thermal anomalies are congruent with the lava flows as well as the kind of venting behavior documented in figure 13.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 13. This helicopter view of the S slope of Tolbachik was taken 2 February 2013 by Denis Budkov.

Tolbachik continued to produce lava flows during 4-15 January 2013 that traveled to the W and SE sides of Tolbachinsky Dol. Ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4.5 km and drifted in multiple directions. During 11-18 January, ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4 km and drifted in multiple directions. Between 25 January and 1 February 2013, four cinder cones continued to grow on the S fissure above Krasny cone. Ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km and drifted in multiple directions. Later, between 12 and 26 April, lava flows extended to the W, S, and E sides of the plateau. Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure through 16-22 August 2013. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3 km and drifted in multiple directions.

The following week, the plumes weakened and remained so through August 2013. Seismic activity decreased during 22-24 August. Local video images around that time lacked incandescence from the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol, although a thermal anomaly continued to be detected in satellite images. On 27 August the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow.

Overview of Eruption Activity from Edwards and others (2013). "Unlike the 1975 eruption, which was predicted 1 week in advance based on strong precursory seismicity at five seismic stations, the eruption that began in November 2012 was preceded by much weaker seismicity, so scientists were not able to predict this eruption. Earthquake hypocenters registered from more than 10 local seismometers were generally at depths of less than 10 kilometers and were mostly located below Plosky Tolbachik before earthquake activity migrated south to the eruption site . . .. Initial activity produced two primary fissures: a northern one, with four different active vents, and a southern fissure . . .. By the second day of the eruption, lava flows extended 9 kilometers from vent areas down into surrounding forests (Samoylenko et al., 2012). As of February 2013, weak explosive and effusive activity was ongoing at the main cone, and lava flows were active throughout the lava flow field from the southern fissure to Belaya Gorka, an older cinder cone 12 kilometers from the main vent (figure 12a).

"Effusive and explosive activities have continued since the start of the eruption (figures 12c and 12d). Ash from the initial explosive activity was deposited up to 60 km west of the main vent area, and initial sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions are estimated to have been approximately 60 metric tons. By late January, ash production was minor and the continuous explosions from the main cone had weakened. The highest lava flow rates at the surface (approximately 1 m per second) were near lava tube openings in the upper part of the lava field (figure 1a). The eruption is now [in early 2013] dominantly producing pahoehoe (smooth), slabby pahoehoe, and `a`a (rough) lava flows. Minor phreatomagmatic explosions were seen at the leading edges of lava flows advancing over snow during the first week of the eruption [Samoylenko et al., 2012]. During January and February, active `a`a flows were observed moving over snow in the lower part of the flow field, and reports documented heated meltwater discharge and active downslope flows. Lava- snow interaction continued as snow accumulated through the winter . . .."

Preliminary Petrology from Edwards and others (2013). "Lava and tephra from the start of the eruption have isolated large crystals of plagioclase with smaller crystals of olivine and clinopyroxene. Preliminary geochemistry shows that samples are basaltic trachyandesite, with higher concentrations of silicon dioxide (52-54 weight percent) than in the basalts that erupted in 1975-1976 (48-50 weight percent). Field measurements using thermocouples and infrared radiometers show that the surface temperatures of active lava streams seen in figure 1d are more than 1000°C."

Comparison to the "Great Tolbachik" Eruption of 1975-1976 from Edwards and others (2013). "The new eruption shows striking differences compared to the 1975-1976 event. The seismicity at eruption onset was of lower magnitude and was confined to the crust (25 kilometers). In its first 2 months, the present eruption has already produced more than 20% of the bulk volume of the 1975-1976 eruption, which lasted 18 months. Estimated lava discharge rates during early parts of the ongoing eruption were up to 400 cubic meters per second...."

References. Edwards, B., Belousov, A..,Belousava, M., Volynets, A., Melniknov, D., Chirkov, S., Senyukov, S., Gordeev, E., Muraviev, Y.,Izbekov, P., and Demianchuk, Y., 2013, Another "Great Tolbachik" Eruption? Eos, Vol. 94, No. 21, 21 May 2013, pp. 189-191.

Volynets, A.O., Melnikov. D, Yakushev, A., and Tolstykh, M., 2013, Petrology and geochemistry of the New Tolbachik Fissure Eruption volcanic rocks and their evolution during the first two weeks of eruption, IAVCEI 2013 Scientific Assembly - July 20-24, Kagoshima, Japan (2013).

Information Contacts: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Institute of Volcanic Geology and Geochemistry, Piip Ave. 9, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, Russia; and Denis Budkov, Photographer, Kamchatka, Russia (URL: http://ratbud.livejournal.com/).


October 2017 (BGVN 42:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Eruption that started in late November 2012 ends by mid-September 2013

The most recent eruption began on 27 November 2012 along two fissures a few kilometers S of the main Tolbachik edifice, within the Tolbachinsky Dol lava plateau (BGVN 37:12). Monitoring is done by the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT); they recorded an end date for this eruption as 15 September 2013.

Activity reported through February 2013 included Strombolian fire fountains (figure 14), voluminous lava flows on the surface (figure 15 and 16) and under the ice and snow cover (figure 17), ash explosions, and the building of cinder cones (BGVN 37:12). Satellite imagery in early June 2013 revealed both a lava pond at the active vent and a large lava flow lower down the flank, with multiple flow-front breakouts (figure 18). Cinder cones continued to grow along the S fissure through 16-22 August 2013, and lava flows remained active (figure 19), but then gas-and-ash plumes weakened and seismicity decreased during the last week of the month (BGVN 38:08).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 14. Lava fountain in the cinder cone at Tolbachik on 24 January 2013. Photo by Yu. Demyanchuk; courtesy of IVS FEB RAS and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 15. Photo of lava flow at Tolbachik on 25 January 2013. Photo by Yu. Demyanchuk; courtesy of IVS FEB RAS and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 16. Lava flows moving ESE at Tolbachik on 25 February 2013. Photo by Yu. Demyanchuk; courtesy of IVS FEB RAS and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 17. Photo of a lava flow intruding under deep snow at Tolbachik on 25 February 2013. Photo by Yu. Demyanchuk; courtesy of IVS FEB RAS and KVERT.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 18. False-color image of Tolbachinsky in shortwave infrared and near-infrared light (combined with green light), taken on 6 June 2013 by the Advanced Land Imager on the Earth Observing-1 satellite. Hot surfaces glow in shortwave infrared wavelengths. The active vent and lava flow are bright red, along with scattered lava "breakouts"at the front of the flow. High temperature surfaces in the scene also glow in near infrared light, revealing a lava pond in the active vent and fluid lava in the center of the lava flow. Courtesy of NASA (image by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, caption by Robert Simmon).
Figure (see Caption) Figure 19. Photo of lava flow front adjacent to the Kruglenkaya slag cone at Tolbachik on 16 August 2013. Photo by D.V. Melnikov; courtesy of IVS FEB RAS and KVERT.

Seismicity continued to decrease during 22-24 August 2013, and KVERT noted on 27 August that no incandescence had been seen in recent days, and there were no current ash plumes. Satellite data did still show a large thermal anomaly in the northern area of Tolbachinsky Dol, which KVERT attributed to the lava flows remaining hot. The MODIS thermal anomaly data recorded in the MODVOLC system identified the latest hotspot on 27 August 2013. According to the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), the Aviation Color Code (ACC) was lowered from Orange to Yellow on 27 August 2013.

When the ACC was lowered to Green on 31 January 2014, KVERT reported that weak seismic activity and episodes of tremor continued, gas-and-steam activity was sometimes observed, and satellite data continued to show a weak thermal anomaly. However, they also stated that "probably its active phase was finishing in September 2013." The KVERT website recorded an end date of 15 September 2013. The new lava flows were still noticeable in visible satellite imagery more than a year after the eruption ended (figure 20).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 20. Satellite image from Landsat/Copernicus showing the final extent of new lava flows on the SSW flank of Tolbachik on 30 December 2014. The new lava flows extend across the center of the image, with the main edifice at top right. Color and contrast have been adjusted to enhance the contrast between fresh darker lava and faded older deposits. Courtesy of Google Earth.

Information Contacts: Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Response Team (KVERT), Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 9 Piip Blvd., Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, Russia (URL: http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/); Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (IVS FEB RAS), 9 Piip Blvd., Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky 683006, Russia (URL: http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/eng/); Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) - MODVOLC Thermal Alerts System, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Univ. of Hawai'i, 2525 Correa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA (URL: http://modis.higp.hawaii.edu/); NASA Earth Observatory, EOS Project Science Office, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Goddard, Maryland, USA (URL: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/); Google Earth (URL: https://www.google.com/earth/).

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 58 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

2012 Nov 27 - 2013 Sep 5 ± 10 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Tolbachinsky Dol
2012 Nov 27 - 2013 Sep 5 ± 10 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 31 Events for Episode 1 at Tolbachinsky Dol

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
2012 Nov 7 2012 Nov 27 Seismicity (volcanic) KVERT reported that episodes of volcanic tremor were detected in the area of Plosky Tolbachik during 7-10, 18, and 26 November. The number of shallow volcanic earthquakes increased to 250 on 26 November. A strong event occurred at 1652 on 27 November.
2012 Nov 27    - - - - Explosion Observers from Kozyrevsk (40 km NW) and Lazo (50 km SW) villages reported ash explosions and lava flows at Tolbachinsky Dol, in the same area as the 1975 eruption (northern vents).
2012 Nov 27    - - - - Fissure Lava effused from two fissures along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of the volcano. KVERT reported that the N and S fissures were located 4-5 km and 6-7 km S of Plosky Tolbachik, respectively.
2012 Nov 27 2012 Nov 29 Ash Plume Based on information from the Kamchatka Branch of Geophysical Services (KGBS), the Tokyo VAAC reported that ash plumes possibly rose to altitudes of 6.1-10.1 km. Ash plumes were not detected in satellite imagery. Plume altitudes were estimated based on seismic data. Ash plumes rose less than 500 m on 28 November. The next day ash plumes rose less than 500 m and drifted 300 km ESE.
2012 Nov 27    - - - - Ashfall Ashfall, 4 cm thick, was reported in Krasny Yar (60 km NNW).
2012 Nov 27 2013 Aug 22 Lava flow Observers from Kozyrevsk (40 km NW) and Lazo (50 km SW) villages reported lava flows at Tolbachinsky Dol, in the same area as the 1975 eruption (northern vents). Lava effused from two fissures along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol, a lava plateau on the SW side of the volcano. According to a news article on 30 November, the lava flows destroyed two scientific base camps 10 km away. Lava had flowed 17-20 km away from the S fissure by 7 December. KVERT reported that the S fissure along the W side of Tolbachinsky Dol continued to produce very fluid lava flows that traveled 17-20 km. The flows traveled to the W, S, and E sides of Tolbachinsky Dol.
2012 Nov 27    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 3
2012 Nov 28 2013 Apr 12 Thermal Anomaly KVERT reported that a very large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible in satellite imagery.
2012 Nov 28 2013 Jun 21 Thermal Anomaly Tens of near-daily MODVOLC thermal alerts were issued.
2012 Nov 29 2012 Dec 3 Ash Plume Based on information from UHPP (Yelizovo Airport), the Tokyo VAAC reported that ash plumes rose to altitudes of 4-6.1 km and drifted N and NW during 29-30 November and 3 December.
2012 Nov 29 2012 Dec 1 Ashfall Ashfall was reported in Kozyrevsk (40 km NW).
2012 Nov 29 2012 Dec 1 Incandescent ejecta Strombolian activity and lava effusion from two fissures continued.
2012 Dec 1 2012 Dec 5 Ash Plume Ash plumes rose less than 500 m.
2012 Dec 3    - - - - Ashfall Minor ashfall was reported in Kozyrevsk (40 km NW) and Klyuchi (65 km NW) villages.
2012 Dec 5 2012 Dec 11 Degassing Gas-and-steam plumes drifted 250 km SE on 5 December, and rose as high as 1 km during 7-11 December and drifted SW and W.
2012 Dec 7 2013 Jan 8 Seismicity (volcanic) Strong seismicity was detected.
2012 Dec 7 2013 Jan 8 Ash Plume Ash plumes rose less than 1 km and drifted in multiple directions.
2012 Dec 7 2013 Aug 22 Cinder Cone At least two were observed initially, and five were present by 17 December; the fifth cone continued to grow through 18 January. From 18 January - 22 February 2013 four cinder cones continued to grow on the S fissure above Krasny cone. Cinder cones continued to grow on the fissure through the end of the eruption.
2013 Jan 4 2013 Jan 15 Ash Plume Based on information from KVERT, the Tokyo VAAC reported that gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4.5 km and drifted in multiple directions.
2013 Jan 11 2013 Jan 25 Ash Plume Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4 km and drifted in multiple directions.
2013 Jan 25 2013 Apr 12 Ash Plume Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.5 km and drifted in multiple directions.
2013 Jan 25    - - - - Bombs Edwards and others (2013) noted that at the vent molten lava bombs shot more than 100 m above the crater floor.
2013 Apr 12 2013 Apr 26 Ash Plume Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3 km and drifted in multiple directions.
2013 Apr 12 2013 Jul 19 Thermal Anomaly A large thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery.
2013 Apr 26 2013 May 16 Ash Plume Gas-and-ash plumes were observed.
2013 May 16 2013 Aug 22 Degassing Weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed.
2013 Jun 26 2013 Jul 8 Thermal Anomaly Multiple near-daily MODVOLC thermal alerts were issued.
2013 Jul 12 2013 Aug 6 Thermal Anomaly Multiple near-daily MODVOLC thermal alerts were issued.
2013 Jul 19 2013 Aug 22 Thermal Anomaly A thermal anomaly on the N part of Tolbachinsky Dol was visible daily in satellite imagery.
2013 Aug 11 2013 Aug 24 Thermal Anomaly Multiple near-daily MODVOLC thermal alerts were issued.
2013 Aug 27    - - - - Thermal Anomaly A MODVOLC thermal alert was issued.

1975 Jun 28 - 1976 Dec 10 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption South flank (18 & 28 km from summit)
1975 Jun 28 - 1976 Dec 10 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 16 Events for Episode 1 at South flank (18 & 28 km from summit)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (volcanic) Before eruption.
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (volcanic)
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor)
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion violent, strong, or large
   - - - -    - - - - Fissure
   - - - -    - - - - Eruption cloud
   - - - -    - - - - Lava fountains
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow violent, strong, or large
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Bombs
   - - - -    - - - - Deformation (inflation)
   - - - -    - - - - Deformation (deflation)
   - - - -    - - - - Caldera Lava effusion
1975 Jun 28    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1975 Jul 6    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1973 Oct 16 ± 15 days - 1974 Dec 16 ± 15 days ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
1973 Oct 16 ± 15 days - 1974 Dec 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Unknown

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
1973 Oct    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1970 Sep 16 ± 15 days - 1970 Dec 1 ± 30 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1970 Sep 16 ± 15 days - 1970 Dec 1 ± 30 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria
1970 Sep    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1970 Dec 1 ± 30 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1970 Jan 16 ± 15 days - 1970 Apr 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption
1970 Jan 16 ± 15 days - 1970 Apr 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
1970 Jan    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1968 Jul 2 ± 182 days - 1969 Jul 2 ± 182 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption
1968 Jul 2 ± 182 days - 1969 Jul 2 ± 182 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity weak or small
1968    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1967 Oct 16 ± 15 days - 1967 Nov 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1967 Oct 16 ± 15 days - 1967 Nov 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1967 Oct    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1967 Mar 16 ± 15 days - 1967 May 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1967 Mar 16 ± 15 days - 1967 May 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1967 Mar    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1966 Apr 15 ± 45 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1966 Apr 15 ± 45 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria
1966 Apr 15 ± 45 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1965 Jul 2 ± 182 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption
1965 Jul 2 ± 182 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1965    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1964 Mar 16 ± 15 days - 1964 Apr 24 (in or after) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1964 Mar 16 ± 15 days - 1964 Apr 24 (in or after) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Lava lake Small
1964 Mar    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1962 Aug 16 ± 15 days - 1963 Jul 2 ± 182 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption
1962 Aug 16 ± 15 days - 1963 Jul 2 ± 182 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Bombs
1962 Aug    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1961 Mar 24 - 1962 Feb 16 (in or after) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1961 Mar 24 - 1962 Feb 16 (in or after) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
1961 Mar 24    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1959 Jul 2 ± 182 days - 1960 Jul 2 ± 182 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1959 Jul 2 ± 182 days - 1960 Jul 2 ± 182 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1959    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1958 Jul 13 (in or before) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
1958 Jul 13 (in or before) - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1958 Jul 13
(in or before)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1956 Sep 28 - 1957 Nov 28 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1956 Sep 28 - 1957 Nov 28 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1956 Sep 28    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1955 Oct 6 - 1955 Dec 8 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1955 Oct 6 - 1955 Dec 8 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1955 Oct 6    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1955 Jan 7 - 1955 Feb 9 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1955 Jan 7 - 1955 Feb 9 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1955 Jan 7    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1954 Feb 21 - 1954 Jun 13 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1954 Feb 21 - 1954 Jun 13 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1954 Feb 21    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1947 Jan Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
1947 Jan - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
1947 Jan    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1940 Nov - 1941 Jul 15 ± 45 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Summit, SW flank (1950 m)
1940 Nov - 1941 Jul 15 ± 45 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Summit, SW flank (1950 m)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
1940 Nov    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1941 May 7    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1940 Feb - 1940 Apr Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1940 Feb - 1940 Apr Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1940 Feb    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1939 Sep 25 - 1939 Sep 27 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1939 Sep 25 - 1939 Sep 27 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1939 Sep 25    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1936 Aug 13 (in or before) - 1937 Mar 2 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1936 Aug 13 (in or before) - 1937 Mar 2 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
1936 Aug 13
(in or before)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1937 Jan 10    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1931 Mar 4 - 1932 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1931 Mar 4 - 1932 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1931 Mar 4    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1904 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1904 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
1904    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1793 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1793 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1793    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1790 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1790 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1790    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1789 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1789 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1789    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1788 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1788 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1788    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1769 Feb 15 ± 45 days - 1769 Oct 15 ± 45 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1769 Feb 15 ± 45 days - 1769 Oct 15 ± 45 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1769 Feb 15 ± 45 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1740 Dec Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1740 Dec - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
1740 Dec    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1739 Feb 1 ± 30 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
1739 Feb 1 ± 30 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined) Before.
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined) After.
1739 Feb 1 ± 30 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1699 ± 1 years ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
1699 ± 1 years - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Volcanic "smoke"
1699 ± 1 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1550 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Zvezda)
1550 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Zvezda)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
1550
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1050 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Visokaya, Treschina)
1050 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Visokaya, Treschina)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
1050
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1000 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Kleshnya, Rastaschenny)
1000 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Kleshnya, Rastaschenny)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
1000
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0950 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

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

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Alaid)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
0950
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0900 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Peschanie Gorky)
0900 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Peschanie Gorky)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
0900
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0550 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Kamenistaya)
0550 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Kamenistaya)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
0550
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0450 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Dvoinoy, Nedostupny, Dalny)
0450 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Dvoinoy, Nedostupny, Dalny)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
0450
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0400 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Pelmen, Lagerny)
0400 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Pelmen, Lagerny)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
0400
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0350 (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Zasipannie)
0350 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Zasipannie)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

0250 (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Poteryanny, Yupiter)
0250 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Poteryanny, Yupiter)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

0150 (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Zapretny)
0150 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Zapretny)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

0050 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Mt. 1004, Pra-Visokaya)
0050 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Mt. 1004, Pra-Visokaya)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
0050
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0100 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Sosed, Malenky)
0100 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Sosed, Malenky)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

0200 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

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

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Kust)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

0700 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Buraya)
0700 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Buraya)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

0750 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Tsepochka, Malishi)
0750 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Tsepochka, Malishi)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

0800 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Serga, Starichky)
0800 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Serga, Starichky)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

1650 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Istochniky)
1650 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Istochniky)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

1750 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Mokhnataya)
1750 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Mokhnataya)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
1750 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

2050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

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

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Kruglenky)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.
2050 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

4550 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Plosky and Ostry Tolbachik calderas
4550 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Plosky and Ostry Tolbachik calderas

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Avalanche
   - - - -    - - - - Caldera Lava effusion
   - - - -    - - - - Edifice Destroyed Collapse/avalanche

5450 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

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

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank and NE flank

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow

5600 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank
5600 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow

5650 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Bubochka)
5650 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Bubochka)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

6050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption SW flank (Lesnaya)
6050 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (Lesnaya)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Parasitic.

7600 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption
7600 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Tephra
Deformation History

There is data available for 2 deformation periods. Expand each entry for additional details.


Deformation during 2000 Sep 02 - 2003 Aug 18 [Subsidence; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 2000 Sep 02 Stop Date: 2003 Aug 18 Direction: Subsidence Method: InSAR
Magnitude: Unknown Spatial Extent: Unknown Latitude: Unknown Longitude: Unknown

Remarks: subsidence of lava flows from thermal contraction following fissure eruption of 1975-1976


Reference List: Pritchard and Simons 2004.

Full References:

Pritchard, M. E., and M. Simons, 2004. Surveying volcanic arcs with satellite interferometry: The central Andes, Kamchatka, and beyond. GSA Today, 14(8), 4-9. https://doi.org/10.1130/1052-5173(2004)014<4:SVAWSR>2.0.CO

Deformation during 1992 Jul 15 - 2000 Jun 17 [Subsidence; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 1992 Jul 15 Stop Date: 2000 Jun 17 Direction: Subsidence Method: InSAR
Magnitude: Unknown Spatial Extent: Unknown Latitude: Unknown Longitude: Unknown

Remarks: subsidence of lava flows from thermal contraction following fissure eruption of 1975-1976


Reference List: Pritchard and Simons 2004.

Full References:

Pritchard, M. E., and M. Simons, 2004. Surveying volcanic arcs with satellite interferometry: The central Andes, Kamchatka, and beyond. GSA Today, 14(8), 4-9. https://doi.org/10.1130/1052-5173(2004)014<4:SVAWSR>2.0.CO

Emission History

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


Emissions during 2012 Nov 27 - 2012 Nov 27 [200 kt SO2 at 10 km altitude]

Start Date: 2012 Nov 27 Stop Date: 2012 Nov 27 Method: Satellite (Aqua AIRS)
SO2 Altitude Min: 10 km SO2 Altitude Max: 10 km Total SO2 Mass: 200 kt

Data Details

Date Start Date End Assumed SO2 Altitude SO2 Algorithm SO2 Mass
20121127 10.0 200.000
Photo Gallery

Tolbachik is composed of two main edifices. The flat-topped Plosky Tolbachik (right) is located east of the older and higher Ostry Tolbachik cone (left). Lengthy rift zones extending NE and S of Plosky Tolbachik have erupted voluminous lava flows through the Holocene. The 1975-76 eruption from the summit and S-flank fissures was one of the largest historical basaltic eruption in Kamchatka.

Photo by Oleg Volynets (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
An ash plume rises above a scoria cone along the S-flank rift zone of Kamchatka's Tolbachik volcano in late July 1975. This was the first of three cones formed along the northern part of the rift zone during the early stage of the eruption and was only a few weeks old at the time of this photo. Lava fountains rose 1-2.5 km above the vent and ash plumes reached 10-18 km heights.

Photo by Oleg Volynets, 1975 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
Lava fountaining at a scoria cone along Kamchatka's Tolbachik S-flank rift zone in late-July 1975. This was the first of three large cones that formed along the northern part of the rift zone during the early stage of the eruption. The lava fountains reached heights up to 1-2.5 km above the vent and ash plumes rose 10-18 km. After 27 July, eruptions from the first cone were dominantly effusive. Activity at the first cone ceased on 9 August.

Photo by Oleg Volynets, 1975 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
Lava fountains erupt on 20 September 1975, two days after the continuation of activity 10 km south of the earlier activity at the northern end of the Tolbachik eruptive fissure. Activity at the southern end was dominantly effusive, and lasted 15 months, much longer than the three-month-long activity at the northern end.

Photo by Oleg Volynets, 1975 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
An incandescent lava flow slowly moves along the base of a scoria cone in April 1976, igniting a tree already killed by ash and scoria during the eruption. This was part of a lava field erupted from vents at the southern end of the 1975-76 "Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption."

Photo by Oleg Volynets, 1976 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
The incandescent lava flow front advances across an ash-covered surface in July 1975. Incandescence can also be seen in the main body of the flow behind it. This lava flow, the first of the "Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption" of 1975-76, originated from the first of three large scoria cones that formed at the northern of two principal eruption sites.

Photo by Anatolii Khrenov, 1975 (courtesy of Oleg Volynets, Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
Incandescent lava flows from the southern eruptive center of the "Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption" in January 1976. Activity from the southern center, which began on 18 September 1976, was dominantly effusive. By the time the eruption ended in December 1976 the southern vent had produced a lava field that covered 40 km2 to an average thickness of 28 m.

Photo by Oleg Volynets, 1976 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
A scientist from the Institute of Volcanology studies tephra produced during the 1975-76 eruption of Kamchatka's Tolbachik volcano. The circular pits were formed by the impact of dense volcanic blocks and bombs. The blocks, one of which can be seen in the closest pit, originated from the scoria cone in the background.

Photo by Oleg Volynets, 1975 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
The summit of flat-topped Plosky Tolbachik volcano (right) contains a 3-km-wide, glacier-filled caldera. Scoria cones line a rift zone that extends to the NE. Another rift zone that extends 70 km SSW of the summit has been the site of frequent basaltic eruptions during the Holocene, including the "Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption" of 1975-76. Udina rises to the left, with Kronotsky on the far horizon to the SSE.

Photo by Oleg Volynets (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
A lava fountain and ash plume rise above a volcanological field camp on Tolbachik volcano in July 1975. This photo was taken several days after the onset of activity along the southern rift zone on 6 July, and by this time the new scoria cone had grown to a height of 200 m. The upper flanks of the cone are blanketed by incandescent volcanic bombs.

Photo by Yuri Doubik, 1975 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
Ash plumes and incandescent lava fragments are ejected from a new scoria cone in 1975. Following minor ash eruptions from the Plosky Tolbachik summit crater on 28 June, the "Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption" began 18 km S of the summit on 6 July, producing a major eruption that lasted until 15 September. A dominantly effusive eruption began 28 km S of the summit on 18 September and continued until December 1976.

Photo by Yuri Doubik, 1975 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
On 6 July 1975 a new fissure opened along the south rift zone of Tolbachik volcano during the "Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption" of 1975-76, ending on 10 December 1976. Scoria cones grew to nearly 300 m high at the northern end of the 30-km-long eruption zone, with lava sheets covering more than 40 km2.

Photo by Yuri Doubik, 1975 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
A volcanologist from the Institute of Volcanology in Petropavlovsk stands in front the 1975-76 Tolbachik eruption. Incandescent blocks can be seen in this nighttime photograph. This was Kamchatka's largest basaltic eruption during the past 10,000 years.

Photo by Oleg Volynets, 1975 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
A scientist gathers a sample of molten lava from a vent at the base of a new scoria cone in April 1976. Scientists from the Institute of Volcanology in Petropavlovsk analyzed lava samples throughout the eruption to determine the geochemical variation of eruptive products. The basaltic flow was one of several emplaced during a major SSW-flank eruption of Tolbachik in 1975-76.

Photo by Oleg Volynets, 1976 (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
The summit of Plosky Tolbachik contains a 3-km-wide caldera whose floor is covered by the glacier in the foreground. It contains a nested inner 1.8-km-wide caldera (center) with a crater that increased substantially in size during the 1975-76 eruption. Ostry Tolbachik stratovolcano towers west of the inner caldera of Plosky Tolbachik in this 1990 view.

Photo by Dan Miller, 1990 (U.S. Geological Survey).
During the 1975-76 eruption a new collapse caldera formed within the Plosky Tolbachik main summit caldera. The eruption occurred along the SSW-flank rift zone 18 km away. Collapse began on 18 July following minor ash eruptions that began on 28 June. By mid-September the diameter of the caldera reached 1.2 x 1.6 km, and the depth increased from 230 to 400 m. The summit of Udina appears above the clouds to the SE.

Photo by Dan Miller, 1990 (U.S. Geological Survey).
Ostry Tolbachik forms the western end of the Tolbachik complex. The summit and flank of Ostry Tolbachik collapsed about 7,000 years ago. The trees in the foreground were damaged during a 1975-76 eruption from the rift zone southern Tolbachik rift zone.

Photo by Vera Ponomareva, 1976 (Institute of Volcanic Geology and Geochemistry, Petropavlovsk).
These lava stalactites formed in a lava tube within the 2012-2013 Tolbachik lava flow field, seen here in 2015. When the lava drains through the tubes remnants drip from the ceiling. Yellow and white minerals have crystalized across the surfaces.

Photo by Janine Krippner, 2015.
Once the lava began to drain from a 2012-13 Tolbachik lava tube the dripping lava formed these structures on the ceiling, with minerals forming across the surfaces.

Photo by Janine Krippner, 2015.
The main Tolbachik edifice is seen here from one of the southern flank scoria cones, with the Ostry peak to the left and the broader Plosky to the right. The 2012-13 lava flow is to the lower right of the scoria cones.

Photo by Janine Krippner, 2015.
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 58 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 116543-7 Basalt -- --
NMNH 116543-8 Basalt -- --
NMNH 116556-21 Volcanic Bomb -- --
NMNH 116556-22 Plagioclase -- --
NMNH 116556-23 Basalt -- --
NMNH 116556-24 Basalt -- --
NMNH 116556-25 Basalt -- --
NMNH 116556-26 Basalt -- --
NMNH 116697 Volcanic Bomb -- --
NMNH 117641-1 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-10 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-11 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-12 Scoria -- --
NMNH 117641-13 Scoria -- --
NMNH 117641-14 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-15 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-16 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-17 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-18 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-19 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-2 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-20 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-21 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-22 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-23 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-24 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-25 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-26 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-27 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-28 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-29 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-3 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-30 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-31 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-32 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-33 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-34 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-35 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-36 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-37 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-38 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-39 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-4 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-40 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-41 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-42 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-43 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-44 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-45 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-46 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-47 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-5 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-6 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-7 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-8 Basalt -- --
NMNH 117641-9 Basalt -- --
NMNH 176164-00 Kononovite -- --
NMNH 176165-00 Zincomenite -- --
External Sites