Picturesque volcanoes of Kamchatka (35 photos). Volcano Klyuchevskaya Sopka in Kamchatka is the highest active volcano in Eurasia. Height, coordinates on the map, eruption

Undoubtedly, there are numerous volcanoes. One of the most famous of them is Klyuchevskaya Sopka, the highest active volcano in Russia and Eurasia.

Volcano Legends

For the indigenous peoples of Kamchatka, this mountain is sacred. Some peoples believe that when the Lord created the world, it was in this place that he held the Earth in his hands. For this reason, he failed to carefully close the mountain. Since then, she has been constantly active.

Other nations retell the more romantic story of the fire-breathing mountain. The father of the beloved girl of the hero Tomgirgin set a condition: Tomgirgin will be able to marry Itateli only if he builds a huge yurt on the Klyuchevskaya Plain, so big that it can be seen from the coast. The problem was that there were mountains between the ocean and the valley. But the hero coped with the task - a yurt was built and the beautiful Itatel became the wife of Tomgirgin.

Immediately after the wedding, the newlyweds kindled the hearth, and a pillar of fire shot up high into the sky. Since then, whenever guests came to them, the couple kindled a fire.

Where is Klyuchevskaya Sopka located?

Like most fire-breathing mountains of the peninsula, Klyuchevskaya Sopka is part of the Volcano located in the east of the peninsula. More than five hundred kilometers separate it from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and from the coast Pacific Ocean it is sixty kilometers away.

Story

The highest volcano in Russia arose six to seven thousand years ago. It is a stratovolcano complicated by cinder cones. Their height varies from tens to two hundred meters. The volcano consists of lava flows and layers of ice. As a result of numerous eruptions, the volcano acquired the shape of a truncated cone. At the top, the crater is seven hundred and fifty meters in diameter.

From the 17th century until 1932, the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano in Kamchatka was formed exclusively due to summit eruptions. Its volcanic activity changed in 1932: additional side eruptions intensified near the slope of the volcano. In 1697, the explorer of Kamchatka, V. Atlasov, mentioned in his work the eruptive activity of the volcano. Since September 1935, the volcanoes of the Klyuchevskaya group, including Sopka Klyuchevskaya, have been monitored at the scientific station of the peninsula.

Vulcan today

The height of the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano is rather arbitrary. This is due to constant eruptions. It fluctuates within a hundred meters. According to official data, the height of the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano does not exceed 4750 meters, however, it has increased significantly in size - up to 4835 meters after the eruption that occurred in 2013. Researchers are confident that this figure will change more than once.

This is an active stratovolcano, which rises near the village of Klyuch, which gave it its name. For many years, he has fascinated not only local residents, but also specialists for its austere beauty. At the foot of the mountain, the most abundant river of the peninsula flows to the east, bearing the same name - Kamchatka. To the south of the volcano there is a unique meadow of edelweiss, the only one on the peninsula. A coniferous forest grows at the foot of the highest volcano in Russia.

The mountain looks like correct form snow cone, which is formed by lava flows, as well as bombs, slag, ash, pumice. The entire hill is covered with deep furrows that stretch from top to bottom. They narrow at the foot of the mountain. More than 15 km is the base of the volcano. A column of smoke constantly rises above the central crater, and ash and volcanic bombs are not uncommon in the center.

On the slopes of Klyuchevskoy, you can often see the release of volcanic gas jets (fumaroles) and solfataras - steam and gas with sulfur content come out through cracks to the surface. In addition to the main crater, the highest volcano in Russia has almost eighty cinder cones and side craters. They are no less active than the main crater. The highest volcano in Russia is connected with the nearby fire-breathing mountains by a snow cover consisting of thirty glaciers, the total area of which is 220 km.

unusual cloud

Often, experts observe an unusual natural phenomenon above the mountain - the top of the mountain is covered, which looks like a mushroom cap. Researchers explain its appearance by a cluster a large number humid air.

eruptions

Klyuchevskaya Sopka is still a very young volcano. It was formed only seven thousand years ago. This volcanologists explain its excessive activity. Over the past three centuries, about fifty rather powerful eruptions have been recorded. It erupted fifteen times in the last century. The indigenous inhabitants of the peninsula claim that in the history of the mountain there were cases when it continuously spewed out flames and ashes for three years. In terms of its activity, Klyuchevskoy is second only to Karymskaya Sopka, also located in Kamchatka.

When the eruptions of Klyuchevskoy turn out to be too strong, huge lava flows descending down the valley reach the nearest villages. An active volcano is dangerous for airlines, as the ash column reaches fifteen kilometers, and ash plumes stretch for several thousand kilometers. Volcanologists argue that it is almost impossible to determine their direction before the eruption begins.

The active, highest volcano in Russia could not go unnoticed by scientists. It began to be studied from the end of the 17th century. In 1935, a volcanological station began to operate in the village of Klyuchi, which is located 30 km from the volcano. The last eruption of the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano occurred in April 2016.

In the weeks leading up to the eruption, the number of minor earthquakes increased to hundreds. In addition, an increase in the internal noise that usually accompanies driving magma was found. For five months, the volcano threw out ash to a height of up to 11 km.

Climbing

Many amateur researchers know very well where Klyuchevskaya Sopka is located. The mountain was first conquered in 1788 by a group of three people led by naval officer Daniel Gauss. It should be noted that the participants of this expedition had practically no experience in climbing, moreover, they climbed without guides and special ammunition.

Nothing was known about other ascents until 1931, when a group of climbers died here during an avalanche. Today, this active volcano in Kamchatka is increasingly attracting the attention of tourists. This happens despite the fact that the treacherous fire-breathing mountain leads the way in the number of climbers who die on its slopes. Most often, the cause of tragedies is non-compliance with safety regulations. The volcano itself also poses a threat. A case was recorded when at night, with a strong explosion, a mountain flew out of the bowels and fell into a nearby tent.

The volcanoes of Kamchatka are located on the territory of the Kamchatka Territory and are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire - an area in the ocean where the majority of active volcanoes are located and many earthquakes occur.

It is difficult to say exactly how many volcanoes are located on the Kamchatka Peninsula. AT various sources from a few hundred to more than a thousand volcanoes are mentioned, and they are included in the list world heritage UNESCO. Currently, there are about 28 active volcanoes among them, others last time erupted about 1,000 or even 4,000 years ago.

1. As it turns out, at the moment we have already accumulated a fairly decent collection of Kamchatka volcanoes, such that it is not a shame to show it to the general public.

Let's start, of course, with Tolbachiki

2. Well, immediately Big and Small Udina. Two extinct volcanoes, which are the southernmost in the Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes

3. Bolshaya Udina constantly climbed into the frame during the filming of the Tolbachik eruption

5. Killer whales hunt fish (and we killer whales) against the backdrop of Vilyuchinskaya Sopka. The volcano is an extinct stratovolcano, represented by a regular cone with a height of 2,175 m above sea level

6. "Home volcanoes": Koryaksky, Avachinsky and Kozelsky, respectively

7. Avachinsky Sopka and Kozelsky volcano closer

8. Avachinskaya Sopka - an active volcano in Kamchatka, in the southern part of the Eastern Range, north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

9. Koryakskaya Sopka or simply Koryaksky - an active volcano in Kamchatka, 35 km north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

10. This is Kuril Lake. Volcano Kambalny and the islet Heart of Alaid against its background

11. Ilyinskaya Sopka is a dormant stratovolcano located in the southern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula near Kuril Lake and Kuril Lake. I wonder how the trees turned out in the photo, pressed by the wind from the lake

12. Ilinskaya Sopka and bears

13. Volcano Zheltovsky - mysterious place for me. There is almost nothing about him on the internet.

14. The second steepest volcano after Tolbachik is Ksudach. Located on the territory of South Kamchatka to the west of the Pacific coast

15. On the edge of the Stuebel cone (just a funny name)

16. View of the Ksudacha caldera from its highest point - Mount Kamenistaya

17. Khodutka - a potentially active stratovolcano in Kamchatka and Priemysh - an extinct volcano, located northwest of the Khodutka volcano, is smaller and belongs to more ancient formations. Twice they were going to climb there, but so far, alas, no way. Hot river and calluses break even the most persistent

18. Just a Walker with just a cloud

19. Eternal Mutnovka. The third steepest volcano. Mutnovsky Volcano is one of the largest volcanoes in South Kamchatka, located 70 km from the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

20. One of the craters of the Mutnovsky caldera

21. Gorely volcano. Active volcano, located in the south of Kamchatka, belongs to the East Kamchatka volcanic belt

22. Gorely against the backdrop of Mutnovsky volcano

23. Karymsky. This one has only been seen from a helicopter a few times. An active volcano in Kamchatka, within the Eastern Range. Altitude 1468 m, the top is a regular truncated cone

24. He is the same, but from the other side. Although what are the sides of the cone?

25. Semyachik volcano. The crater looks like a deep funnel with a diameter of about 700 m, slightly oval. This one was also seen from a helicopter only. And in all the pictures for some reason only the lake in the whole frame

26. And the helicopter always spins right above the crater, as luck would have it

27. Kronotsky volcano. Active volcano on east coast Kamchatka. Height 3528 m, the top is a regular ribbed cone

28. He is also the lake of the same name

29. Twix - a sweet couple: Klyuchevskoy volcano and an extinct stratovolcano Kamen

30. Separately Klyuchevskoy volcano. An active stratovolcano in the east of Kamchatka. With a height of 4850 m, it is the highest active volcano on the Eurasian continent. The age of the volcano is approximately 7,000 years

31. Separately Volcano Stone

32. Kizimen is an active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula. On November 11, 2010, a new eruption began, which is accompanied by an outpouring of a powerful lava flow. At its foot there are semi-mythical hot springs with a fashionable hostel. But you can get there in a reasonable time (or for a reasonable price) only by helicopter.

33. Kizimen active

34. Ushkovsky against the background of Klyuchevsky and Stone (with a toilet booth in a glorious village in the foreground)

35. This was a small overview of the volcanoes of Kamchatka

Website materials used: http://daypic.ru/nature/177334

Kamchatka is a real museum of volcanology. Its mountain ranges, which contain fire-breathing mountains, are part of the great Pacific ring of fire. The area within the boundaries of the Pacific Ocean, which contains most of all active volcanoes on the planet. In this part of the earth passes the largest chain of the mountain range, both underwater and terrestrial. The total number of volcanoes in this arc reaches 540, and 328 of them are still active to this day. 90% of all earthquakes on the planet occurred here.

The calculations of scientists in different time show different numbers. No one can say exactly how many volcanoes there are in Kamchatka, because the concept of acting has not been precisely defined so far, and the number of small ones cannot be counted. The mountain ranges of Kamchatka are part of the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc, and the total amount of its emissions is 20% of the total volume erupted by the giants of the entire planet. Basic data indicate that the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc includes 300 volcanoes, most of which is located in Kamchatka, of which 72 are active, and 28-30 of them belong to the Kamchatka Territory. There are also volcanic structures on the territory of Kamchatka. Their number, according to some sources, reaches more than 7000 pieces. The Kuril Islands, in turn, contain up to 800 volcanic structures. Most of these formations remain poorly understood. More analysis was done for dangerous volcanoes capable of causing harm to a person and his economic activity. Also considered are those buildings for which at least one eruption has been recorded for 3000 - 3500 years. The Kuril-Kamchatka region includes 70 such objects.

The mountain ranges of Kamchatka are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the nomination "Volcanoes of Kamchatka". All of them are combined into one single Nature Park and contain four specially protected areas scattered throughout the peninsula: Nalychevo Park, South Kamchatsky Park, Klyuchevskoy Park and Bystrinsky. The first of them contains 4 operating facilities out of their total number in Kamchatka. These are Avachinsky, Koryaksky, Zhupanovsky and Dzenzur (debatable). The question about the activity of the latter is still open. Kozelsky, Aag and Arik also adjoin on the south side, and on the western side Dome and Vershinsky. Also on the territory of the park you can find volcanic buildings Pinachevsky, Kekhkuy, Ivulk and many others. The park is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The boundaries of the South Kamchatka Park include 7 objects: Vilyuchinsky, Mutnovsky, Ilyinsky, Asacha, Khodutka, Zheltovsky and Ksudach. Klyuchevskoy park is the youngest and most beautiful park Kamchatka. Included in the UNESCO list later than the rest. Within its limits are located: the most famous giant of Eurasia, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Bolshaya and Malaya Udina, Oval Zimina and Ploskaya Zimina, Plosky and Sharp Tolbachik, Krestovsky, Ushkovsky, Kamen and Bezymyanny. There are also more than 400 cinder cones and the largest glaciers on the peninsula. The most famous volcano in Bystrinsky Park is Ichinskaya Sopka, the highest active volcano in the Sredinny Range on the peninsula. All giants are protected at the international level.

An integral manifestation of volcanic activity are mud volcanoes and thermal springs including even geysers. Within the boundaries of active objects, water, together with gases, passes through a mass of clay and forms a mud clay volcano. The territory of Kamchatka includes about 200 healing springs, 2/3 of which are hot. A significant part of them is located in the Eastern mountain belt. West Coast Kamchatka practically does not contain them, and in the northern regions such sources are completely absent. Some of the hot springs are located in the craters themselves, or occupy the bottom of the caldera. Many are used for medicinal purposes or tourism activities. The manifestation of this kind of activity natural complex is also under local protection and constant monitoring.

Manifestations of volcanism in Kamchatka occurred as early as the Cretaceous period. Intensified activity of volcanoes began only in the last couple of million years. Quaternary time in Kamchatka is considered the time of formation of its two main mountain belts: Middle and Eastern. Over the past million years, about 100 large volcanic formations have formed on the Eastern Range. Shield, stratovolcanoes and calderas. Also at this time, more than 1000 small cinder cones were formed. The age of some buildings is not so great and reaches only 10,000 years.

So many volcanoes in Kamchatka can be justified due to the fact that the peninsula is located between a huge continental stratum and the Pacific Ocean, which gives it such unique features, expressed in the form of volcanic activity. Along the entire perimeter, the lithospheric plate of the Pacific Ocean, as it were, is underlain by the plates of the continent, and the latter, in turn, overlaps with it. Thus, the movements of the Pacific plate contribute to the expulsion of igneous rocks from the bowels of the Earth to the surface. There are also places where lithospheric plates They don't stack on top of each other, they just fit together. This does not lead to the formation of volcanoes, but their movements contribute to strong earthquakes. Such movements in the earth's crust occur under the water column, which can lead to strong tsunamis with catastrophic consequences.

The Klyuchi village in Kamchatka is considered the record holder for the number of volcanoes nearby. Its surroundings host 5 active giants, not counting the extinct ones. The first volcanology station was built here in 1935. On September 1, observations began over the nearby Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Since that time, volcanologists have been actively monitoring the objects of Kamchatka. The researchers collected materials from the eruptions, analyzed the activity, temperature and composition of the lava. It was decided to mark the start of the station's work by climbing to the top of the Klyuchevskoy volcano. The group included a woman, S.I. Naboko, who turned out to be the first female volcanologist to conquer the Klyuchevskaya Sopka crater for the first time. In 1946, for the first time, aerial photography was used to study the giants.

The first head of the volcanology station was V.I. Vlodavets, who studied the features of volcanoes not only in Kamchatka, but also on the Earth as a whole. According to his calculations, the number of active buildings in historical time on Earth was 947 pieces. Later, all volcanologists used his classification to define the concept of an "active volcano", as well as his other studies.

Another important figure in the study of this area was B.I. Piip, who became a co-author geological map Kamchatka Peninsula, and since 1948 he began to study the dangerous phenomenon to those years of the Shiveluch eruption.

An interesting fact is the printing of the catalog "Volcanic eruptions of the world" in 1979. It contains the eruptions of more than 900 volcanoes since 1500 BC, and their total number reaches 5150 times.

To systematize scientific data on the state of volcanic objects in Kamchatka, as well as the entire Kuril-Kamchatka island arc, a Information system, which since 2010 has been working as a portal of IV&S FEB RAS and is called VOKKIA. It contains information about the quantity, geological, volcanological, geochemical and other data. The first subjects of her research were only active volcanoes that were active more than 10,000 years ago. The result of the system is scientific work, publications, as well as online resources and official websites of the organization. Registered users have access to data. According to this resource, you can find out how many active volcanoes are in Kamchatka, as well as how many extinct volcanoes are in Kamchatka.

Watch our new video from the unique tour "Legends of the North"

Eruptions attract not only our compatriots to Kamchatka, but also many foreigners. Many photographers come, including to capture these rare shots.

Volcano tours are what most tourists come for

The concept of an active volcano from the point of view of science is relative, because. some of them, considered extinct, brought some of the most catastrophic consequences in world history. For example, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the El Chichon volcano in 198, Pinatubo in 1991, and Unzen in 1990-1993 in Japan. In Kamchatka, an indicator of such activity was the eruption of the Bezymyanny building in the middle of the 20th century.

At the moment, among volcanologists, the definition of an "active volcano" is in effect, as a certain formation, which is characterized by eruptions documented by history, as well as those on which fumarole or solfataric activity is manifested. In connection with this definition, an international Catalog of active volcanoes of the World was compiled, including solfataric fields / solfataric activity.

However, the definition of a historical eruption is also relative, as "historical chronicle" appeared in different regions world at different times. Sometimes this statement is true even for regions of one country.

Active volcanoes of Kamchatka

With regards to Kamchatka, of the existing ones, the first and only one discovered at the end of the 17th century was Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Thanks to the work of Krasheninnikov and Steller, the description of the number of active volcanic massifs in Kamchatka has increased. In the 40s-50s of the XVIII century, such giants as Avachinskaya Sopka, Tolbachik, Zhupanovsky and Shiveluch, Kambalny and Koshelevsky were discovered. Also, these scientists described the eruptions of some of them: Avachinsky, Klyuchevsky and Plosky Tolbachik.

Later, the "Map of Kamchatka Volcanoes" compiled by N.G. Kellem included Kizimen, Kikhpinych, Shtyubel and Karymsky in the current composition. There were 12 of them in total.

Catalog P.T. Novograblenov in 1931 numbered 19. He was the first in Kamchatka to form the concept of an active volcano, describing it as periodically active and in the stage of solfataric activity.

I.I. Gushchenko, in turn, gave a division of mountain ranges into 3 categories: active with exact dates eruptions in history; potentially active, with an approximate date of eruptions not exceeding 3500 years; as well as being in the stage of solfataric activity. The list of active volcanoes has been expanded to 32x.

Subsequent changes in the number of active volcanoes in Kamchatka remain a mystery, since exact definition this concept has not yet been found.

List - how many active volcanoes are in Kamchatka

Avachinsky. Included in the group of home volcanoes. Beautifully built, with a regular cone, rises not far from the capital of the Kamchatka Territory. On the different areas and slopes on this moment fumaroles and sulfur deposits were found. During moments of activity, its crater fills with lava. Dates of last manifestations: 1909, 1926, 1938, 1945, 1991, 2001. The volcano is dangerous during the period of activity, both for local and international airlines. Ash falls are possible in settlements: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Yelizovo, Vilyuchinsk.
Nameless. He confirmed the title of the current one with his catastrophic outburst of 1955-1956, after resting for 1000 years. In this connection, at the moment it is under constant monitoring.
Gachmen. No historical eruptions have been recorded. It is under satellite monitoring.
Burnt. Represented by three cones, merged together and elongated in the western and northwestern directions. There are 11 craters on the top. The last eruptions occurred in 1931, 1932, 1947, 1961, 1980, 1984, 2010-2014. Ash falls are possible in Paratunka, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Yelizovo.
Wild Comb. This giant is located in South Kamchatka. The largest extrusion facility within the borders of the Kuril-Kamchatka region. The last claim about itself dates back to 1.5 thousand years ago. It was in the activity of this volcano that the longest periods of rest were found - 3500 years.
Zheltovsky. Emissions were observed in 1923. It is under satellite monitoring.
Zhupanovsky. The last manifestations of activity were noticed in 1929, 1940, 1956, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Emissions pose a risk during the validity period to domestic and international airlines. Ashfalls are possible in nearby settlements: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Yelizovo, Paratunka.

Ilyinsky. The last activity is observed from 1907. It is under satellite monitoring. The eruption and its fragmental avalanches are of particular danger for the Kuril Lake, due to its close location.
Ichinsky. It is the largest volcanic structure in Central Kamchatka. The date of the last eruption is approximately 1650. The volcano is dangerous during the active phase for local and international airlines.
Kambalny. The last activity is observed from 1769. It is under satellite monitoring.
Karymsky. The most active building in Eastern Kamchatka. The last eruptions date back to 1955, 1960, 1970, 1976, 1996. Located on satellite seismic monitoring. When ejected, the ash rises mainly for 3 km, and its plume stretches, as a rule, in a southerly direction. The danger is for local airlines.
Kizimen. The date of the last eruption is 2013. A conical stratovolcano with a small lava dome on top. The height of the ash emission can reach 10 km. The volcano is dangerous during the period of activity, both for local and international airlines.
Kikhpinych. The last emissions were about 600 years ago.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Age 7000 years. The most famous volcano not only in Kamchatka, but throughout Eurasia. Due to its proximity to Klyuchi, it poses a serious threat when active. Eruptions are characterized by ash clouds, mud and lava flows. Their duration can reach from several months to half a year, and ash plumes stretch for thousands of kilometers in different directions. The volcano poses a danger during the period of activity for local and international airlines.
Komarov. History-dated eruptions have not been found. The volcano is classified as active, in connection with the solfataric activity found in the crater.
Koryaksky. The last time this giant showed itself in 2009. The volcano is dangerous during the period of activity for airlines of any level. Seismic, webcam, satellite and visual monitoring is carried out.

Koshelev. The last activity is observed from 1690. It is under satellite monitoring.
Krasheninnikov. Historical eruptions date back 1100 years ago, while the latest ones have been dated 600 and 400 years ago. The building is approximately 11,000 years old. There is a strong possibility of emissions, ash clouds and lava flows in the future.
Kronotsky. The last activity took place in 1922-1923. Ideal Shape cone. All activity of the volcano is confined to its southern slope. Ash clouds, ash falls, and lava flows are possible.
Ksudach. The last manifestations were observed from 1907. It is under satellite monitoring.
Small Semyachik. The last eruptions took place in 1851, 1852, 1945, 1952. This is a volcanic ridge, the length of which is 3 km. The crater of the youngest cone contains a thermal lake. It is under satellite monitoring.
Mutnovsky. A complex building of 4 formations. Recent eruptions from 1945, 1960, 1996, 2000, 2007, 2013. It is under visual and satellite monitoring.
Opal. Last activity 1776. The volcano is under satellite monitoring.
Plosky Tolbachik proved himself in 2013. Its height is 3085 m. Plosky Tolbachik and the adjacent sharp Tolbachik together form a separate massif. Terminal and explosive eruptions are dangerous. The volcano is dangerous during the period of activity for airlines of any value.

Taunshitz, located within the Eastern Volcanic Zone. Its activity was noted as early as the early Holocene period, about 8.5 thousand years ago, a strong eruption took place on it, as a result of which the cone slope collapsed and a crater 1.5 km in diameter was formed, as well as an extrusive dome in it. 2400 years ago, another no less strong manifestation of activity is associated with this dome.
Ushkovsky. Together with the Krestovsky volcano they represent one mountain range. The age is 60,000 years. Its eruptions are similar to those in Iceland. When ice melts, mud flows with disastrous consequences, because they go to the valleys of the rivers Bilchenok, Kozyrevskaya and Kamchatka. The volcano poses a danger during the period of activity for local and international airlines.
Khangar. The youngest eruptions date back 400 years ago. Due to the long dormancy, its subsequent activity can be catastrophic, so it will pose a danger to local and international airlines.
Walker. Also known for its eruption that occurred 2-2.5 thousand years ago. With such a long period of calm, there is an assumption that subsequent eruptions will be of an explosive catastrophic nature, and therefore, it will be a danger to local and international airlines.
Shiveluch. The largest volcano in Kamchatka. Includes 3 main buildings, one of which - Young Shiveluch, is active. The age reaches 70,000 years. The height of ash emissions can reach from 3 to 20 km, ash clouds stretch for hundreds of kilometers. In this regard, this giant is a danger during the period of activity for local and international airlines.

Watch our new video from the unique tour "Legends of the North"

Coming to Kamchatka. be sure to go on a tour to one of the active volcanoes - this is an experience of a lifetime!

The volcanoes of the Kamchatka Peninsula are an amazing sight. They occupy about 40% of the entire territory of the region. These giants, as well as the immediate surroundings around them, are constantly in a state of change. The eruptions themselves produce a stunning effect. The most powerful elements of fire, hot red rivers of lava, explosive volleys and fireworks from stones. Of course, a person who happened to see this kind of natural phenomena, completely changes the attitude towards them.

Volcanoes of Kamchatka and Russia

Volcanism is the most important geological process contributing to the development of the Earth's relief. At the stage of the birth of the planet, volcanoes covered its entire surface. Later, the formation of buildings began to form along the largest faults in the earth's crust.

The origin of volcanism is dated Cretaceous period. The activity of the earth on the territory has been manifested for the last 2.5 million years.

The giants located on the territory of Kamchatka are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The latter is a certain area within the boundaries of the Pacific Ocean, in which most of everyone on the planet is located. This zone has 328 active ground structures out of 540 known to mankind.

The volcano in its structure is a geological formation on the surface earth's crust, through which the liquid melt comes to the surface, forming volcanic rocks in the form of lava. They are classified according to the form of formation: old volcano, thyroid, cinder cone, etc.; according to their activity: active, sleeping, extinct; and being in nature: terrestrial or underwater.

Extinct volcanoes of Kamchatka

The buildings of Kamchatka are characterized by a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Their formation took place in different eras, so today the activity is manifested with varying degrees. Some of the giants, which are extinct or small in size, are called mountains, regardless of their volcanic origin.

Now the whole territory has 29 active centers. The title of an active volcano was assigned to these hills, depending on historical period their eruptions. Some of them erupted more than 1000 and even 2000 years ago. Active does not mean "working" all the time. In most cases, fumarolic activity is observed between eruptions, represented by columns of water vapor and gas emissions.

The area of activity changed over time, moving from west to east. This contributed to the formation of two main volcanic belts: the Sredinny volcanic belt and the East Kamchatka belt. In the belt of the latter, the main group of existing buildings in Kamchatka has been formed to date.

Since 1996, thanks to the actions of the Greenpeace Russia organization, a UNESCO World Heritage Site "Volcanoes of Kamchatka" has appeared in the Kamchatka Territory. This nomination includes, South Kamchatka Reserve and.

Also, these fire-breathing mountains have their own annual holiday -.

History - description of the volcanoes of Kamchatka

The grandiose volcanic phenomena and their consequences have attracted the attention of people since ancient times. The first inhabitants saw in them the hiders of gods and local spirits, they associated many legends with them.

Studies and descriptions began around the beginning of the 18th century and formed the basis of many works and popular books. The first to describe the volcanoes of Kamchatka was the explorer S.P. Krasheninnikov in 1756. His book "Description of the land of Kamchatka" contains information about both the high giants of this region and hot springs.

Systematic information about fire-breathing mountains began to appear in the works of P. T. Novograblenov, B. I. Piip, and A. E. Svyatlovsky. The last to be published was the "Atlas of Volcanoes of the USSR", compiled on the basis of aerial surveys carried out in 1946-47. One of the main works of our time was the book " active volcanoes Kamchatka", published in 1991, containing 700 pages of description, accompanied by hundreds of color illustrations.

The first map with the designations of buildings on the peninsula was compiled in 1926 by the scientist N. Kell, a member of the expedition of the Russian Geographical Society.

The largest giant of the Kamchatka Peninsula, as well as the highest in Eurasia -. the hill varies from 4750 to 4850 meters. During eruptions, part of the dome is demolished, and at rest it grows again. The building belongs to the formations of the type of old volcanoes, the age of which reaches 7000 years. The last eruption dates back to August 2013. One of the strongest was the 1994 eruption, which lasted almost a month. The gas-ash fountain rose to a height of 13 km, and the size of the debris reached 2 meters in diameter. Mud flows descended for 30 km and reached the Kamchatka River.

The median volcanic belt includes 65 objects. most highest point and the highest object of this belt is Ichinskaya Sopka. The height of the hill is 3621 m and it is the only active hill in the Middle Belt. The rest are classified as extinct or dormant. Alney, Bolshoi and Khangar are also included in the Sredinny ridge.

The most active East Kamchatka belt, in turn, is divided into several groups, such as the Central Kamchatka depression, the Kharchinskaya group, the Klyuchevskaya group, the East Kamchatka ridge, the Uzon-Geyser depression, the Tolmachev Dol, the Vostochny ridge, the Avachinsko-Koryakskaya group, the Zhupanovsko -Dzendzurskaya group, etc. Some groups of volcanoes stretch for hundreds of kilometers along the peninsula. Some of the groups are characterized by very large volumes of volcanic rocks, up to 5000 cubic meters, which can be compared with the volume of all volcanic rocks in Japan.

Kamchatka - Home volcanoes

The most famous objects of this belt, Kamchatka and Russia in general are: Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Bezymyanny, Kamen, Kizimen, Komarova, Krasheninnikova, Kikhpinych, Big and Small Semyachik, Zhupanovsky, Dzenzur, Tolmacheva, Opala, Khodutka, Ksudach, Ilyinsky, Zheltovskaya Sopka.

A separate group is the group of Home volcanoes. Relating to the East Kamchatka belt, it includes:, Aag and Arik. Sometimes Vilyuchinsky is also attributed to this group. This group of giants on the Kamchatka Peninsula has long been a platform for leisure and competition.

The most powerful disaster of the 20th century

Despite the fact that some of the buildings are extinct, they can surprise with eruptions no less than active ones. It often happened that extinct objects were the sources of very large catastrophes. For example, the explosion of the extinct Bezymyanny in Kamchatka in 1956 is listed as one of the most powerful eruptions of the last century. Puffs of white smoke were seen in the fall of 1955. In a few days, the height of volcanic eruptions reached 8 kilometers, and at night bright lightning sparkled among a huge gray cloud. Strong explosions continued throughout November. Sometimes the cloud of smoke was so thick that it stopped letting the sun's rays through.

At that time, the volcano's crater expanded by 800 meters. A month later, the formation of a dome of viscous lava was noticed, which closed the passage to gas emissions. The pressure inside the volcano became so great that the neighboring dome, which once resembled a frozen stone, rose 100 meters up and moved in a southeasterly direction. On March 30, 1956, there was a huge explosion. A column of fire, accompanied by clouds of black smoke, covering everything around, rushed up to 40 km. In the village of Ust-Kamchatsk, 120 km from Bezymyanny, the horizon was not visible. After some time, a huge jet of gas 45 km high followed. Ash falls behind him. It was so strong that it was impossible to see the thing in the hands. The areas covered with ash were about 400 km long, and the volume of ash was 0.5 billion cubic meters. Its ash emissions were seen in the UK. After a strong eruption on March 30, the last stage began, which lasted until the end of November. The nameless one has changed. Fortunately, this catastrophe did not claim a single life. The surrounding territories were free from the population.

Watch our new video from the unique tour "Legends of the North"

Almost all tourists visiting Kamchatka climb at least one volcano. Each of our group tours has such a program, but the largest number volcanoes you can conquer in this