BEZYMIANNY Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia 55.98°N, 160.59°E; summit elev. 2,882 m; All times are local (= UTC + 12 hours [or 13 hours late March-late October]) Reports from 2000: | November | Reports from 2001: | June | July | August | December | Reports from 2002: | January | November | December | Reports from 2003: | January | July | August | Reports from 2004: | January | June | Reports from 2005: | January | May | November- December | Reports from 2006: | May | Bezymianny Eruption History Information from the USGS Global Volcanism Program -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-7 November 2000 KVERT reported that an increase in seismicity began at Bezymianny on 30 October, reaching its highest level during 0320 to 0400 on 2 November. At 0626 AVHHR imagery showed that an ash plume from the volcano reached ~6.5 km a.s.l., initially extending to 50 km W of the volcano, then 130 km to the SW. At 1200 seismicity began to decrease. In addition to the AVHHR imagery, the Tokyo VAAC detected the ash cloud in GMS-5 imagery until 2332. Small ash clouds were visible on AVHRR imagery during 2 and 3 November. KVERT lowered the Level of Concern Color Code at the volcano from Orange to Yellow. Sources: KVERT via Alaska Volcano Observatory and the Tokyo VAAC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8-14 November 2000 The increase in seismicity that began on 30 October reportedly ended when seismicity decreased to background levels sometime during 3-10 November. Only gas-and-steam plumes were observed rising to a maximum height of 2 km above the volcano. KVERT lowered the Level of Concern Color Code from Yellow to Green. Source: KVERT via Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-12 June 2001 The Tokyo VAAC reported that on 7 June at 0832 a possible eruption was detected on GMS-5 imagery. According to KVERT on 7 June gas-and-steam plumes rose 100 and 400m above the volcano. No seismicity was registered under the volcano. The Concern Color Code remained at Green. Sources: KVERT via the Alaska Volcano Observatory, Tokyo VAAC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25-31 July 2001 KVERT raised the Concern Color Code from Green to Orange on 27 July after seismic and satellite data revealed that an extrusive process began at Bezymianny's lava dome. On 23 and 24 July gas-and-steam plumes rose 200-700 m above the dome. On 25 July seismic activity at the volcano increased above background levels as shallow earthquakes and weak, long local seismic events (possible collapses and/or avalanches) were recorded. On 26 July a linear three-pixel thermal anomaly was visible on satellite imagery trending SE from the summit. The Concern Color Code was reduced to Yellow on 31 July because seismic activity was at background levels during 28-31 July and only weak fumarolic activity was observed. Source: KVERT via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-7 August 2001 The level of Concern Color Code was raised from Yellow to Red (the highest level) on 7 August after a relatively large eruption occurred that day. Prior to the eruption, during 28 July-3 August, seismic activity was at background levels; weak, long local seismic events (possible collapses and/or avalanches) were recorded, and weak fumarolic activity was observed. On 6 August AVHRR imagery showed a three-pixel thermal anomaly on the volcano. On 7 August at 1128 an ash cloud was observed from the town of Klyuchi rising 5 km above the volcano and drifting to the ESE. By 1215 the ash cloud was at a maximum height of 10 km. Sources: KVERT via the Alaska Volcano Observatory, Tokyo VAAC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8-14 August 2001 Volcanic activity decreased after an eruption at Bezymianny on 7 August at 1128. Later in the day, smaller explosions produced ash clouds that rose to 2 km above the dome. Seismic activity was above background levels on 7-8 August, with many small earthquakes occurring within the volcano's edifice and several different seismic signals (explosion, avalanche, collapse) recorded locally. On 9 August a three-pixel thermal anomaly was visible on satellite imagery. The anomaly represented a viscous lava flow that had formed at the dome of the volcano. On 9 August the Concern Color Code was reduced from Red (the highest level) to Yellow and was further reduced on 10 August to Green (the lowest level). Source: KVERT via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5-11 December 2001 Seismic activity at Bezymianny remained slightly above background levels. Weak shallow earthquakes have been registered under the volcano since 10 November, becoming slightly stronger beginning on 22 November. On 10 December a four-pixel thermal anomaly was visible on satellite imagery. A faint plume with little ash extended 87 km SE from the volcano.The Alert Level was raised from Green (the lowest level) to Yellow (the second lowest level). Source: KVERT via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12-18 December 2001 KVERT increased the Concern Color Code at Bezymianny from Yellow ("volcano is restless") to Orange ("eruption may occur at anytime"). During 7-14 December seismicity under Bezymianny was above background levels, with the number of shallow earthquakes increasing near the end of the week. On 10 and 12-13 December gas-and-steam plumes rose to 300 m above the volcano and extended 40 km to the W, SW, and SE. Thermal anomalies were visible centered over the lava-dome area. Source: KVERT via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19-25 December 2001 During 14-21 December, many weak shallow earthquakes occurred within the edifice of Bezymianny and other local shallow seismic events (possible avalanches) were registered. In addition, several gas-and-steam explosions occurred, with the highest reported plume rising 4 km a.s.l. and extending 60 km to the NW on 16 December at 0845. During the week, thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery. By 25 December a decrease in seismicity led KVERT to reduce the Concern Color Code from Orange ("eruption may occur at any time") to Yellow ("volcano is restless"). Source:Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 December 2001 - 1 January 2002 A reduction in volcanic and seismic activity during 21-28 December at Bezymianny led KVERT to reduce the Concern Color Code from Yellow ("volcano is restless") to Green ("volcano is dormant"). Seismicity under the volcano decreased to background levels, with weak, shallow earthquakes continuing within the volcano's edifice. Several small gas-and-steam plumes rose above the lava dome and a one-pixel thermal anomaly became less intense. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-8 January 2002 During 28 December- 4 January the Color Concern Code at Bezymianny was reduced from Yellow ("volcano is restless") to Green ("volcano is dormant"). During the report period seismicity was at background levels, small gas-and-steam plumes were produced, weak fumarolic activity occurred, and a faint thermal anomaly was visible on satellite imagery. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13-19 November 2002 KVERT raised the Concern Color Code at Bezymianny from Green to Yellow on 18 November. A one-pixel thermal anomaly was observed on various satellite imagery on both 16 and 17 November. The closest telemetered seismic stations, located on Kliuchevskoi volcano 13.5 km from Bezymianny's lava dome, only recorded several shallow seismic events at Bezymianny; 13 per month in August and September, and 3 in October. High seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi makes it difficult to distinguish Bezymianny's seismic events. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20-26 November 2002 The Concern Color Code at Bezymianny was reduced from Yellow to Green during 15-22 November. No seismic activity was recorded and satellite images revealed only a very weak thermal anomaly. KVERT stated that this hot spot may indicate hot gas emission from the lava dome. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24-30 December 2002 A large explosive eruption occurred at Bezymianny on 25 December. Prior to the eruption, on 23 December, a 1-pixel-large thermal anomaly was detected on satellite imagery that increased to 7-10 pixels on 24-25 December. Seismicity was also slightly above background levels during 24-25 December, and weak intermittent spasmodic tremor was registered on the 25th. That same day at 1321 a very hot plume that probably contained ash was visible on satellite imagery. At this time the Concern Color Code was raised from Yellow to Orange. Moderate explosive activity began on the 25th around 1900. Seismic data revealed that a large explosive eruption occurred on 26 December at 0715. The resultant ash cloud rose 5 km a.s.l. and deposited ash in Kozyrevsk, 55 km NW of Bezymianny. The Concern Color Code was raised to Red. The eruption continued through the 27th, but activity decreased. Three weak earthquakes were registered on the 26th, and the amplitude of intermittent spasmodic volcanic tremor gradually decreased. KVERT reported that a viscous lava flow was probably being emitted from the volcano's active lava dome. The Concern Color Code was reduced to Orange. On 28 December seismicity was at background levels. Meteorological clouds obscured views of the volcano during 27-28 December. On the 28th the Concern Color Code was reduced to Yellow. Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory, Tokyo VAAC, Interfax News -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 December 2002- 7 January 2003 The Concern Color Code at Bezymianny was reduced from Yellow to Green on 3 January. Seismicity was not recorded during 28 December to 3 January. A weak thermal anomaly was seen on satellite imagery, which may be indicative of viscous lava on the lava dome. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23-29 July 2003 A large explosion at Bezymianny on 26 July at 2220 produced an ash plume that rose to a height of ~8 km a.s.l. and drifted W. KVERT raised the Concern Color Code from Green to Red, the highest level. Prior to the eruption, a weak thermal anomaly was detected on satellite imagery on 6 July, and two shallow low-magnitude earthquakes were recorded on 23 and 25 July. On the 25th and 26th a several-pixel-large thermal anomaly and a gas-and-ash plume were seen on satellite imagery. On the 26th the active phase of the eruption lasted for ~4 hours. According to Yelizovo Airport Meteorological Center (AMC) and a pilot's report, by 26 July at 2226 the ash cloud was around 10-11 km a.s.l. On 27 July an ash cloud was visible 250-300 km W of the volcano and probable pyroclastic-flow deposits were seen on the volcano's SE flank. The same day the Concern Color Code was reduced from Red to Orange. No seismicity was recorded during 27-28 July and no visual information was available because Bezymianny was obscured by clouds. No new signs of eruptive activity were visible on satellite imagery after 26 July. On 29 July the Concern Color Code was further reduced from Orange to Yellow. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory, Tokyo VAAC, Pravda News -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30 July- 5 August 2003 During 27-30 July, no seismicity was recorded at Bezymianny and visual observations were not possible due to meteorological clouds obscuring the volcano. A thermal anomaly was visible on satellite imagery on 28, 29, and 31 July, and 1 August. The Concern Color Code remained at Yellow. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-12 August 2003 No seismicity was recorded at Bezymianny during 31 July to 3 August, so KVERT reduced the Concern Color Code from Yellow to Green, the lowest level. On 2 August gas-and-steam plumes extended ~15 km NW of the volcano. A thermal anomaly was seen on satellite imagery on 1 August. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14-20 January 2004 Video footage showed a strong explosion at Bezymianny on 14 January at 1053 producing an ash plume that rose to 6-8 km a.s.l. and extended ENE. A large pyroclastic flow probably traveled SSE down the volcano's flank. This abrupt increase in activity at Bezymianny led KVERT to raise the Concern Color Code from Green (the lowest level) to Red (the highest level), but later the same day they reduced it to Orange. By 1134 on 14 January the ash plume extended ~55 km and was at a height around 6 km a.s.l, and by 1421 it extended ~190 km and was at 4-6 km a.s.l. No ash was deposited in the nearby settlement of Ust'-Kamchatsk. On 16 January the Concern Color Code was further reduced to Yellow. On that day a lava dome was growing and viscous lava was probably flowing slowly from it. Precise seismic monitoring at Bezymianny was hampered due to high-level volcanic tremor at nearby Kliuchevskoi volcano. Visual observations at Bezymianny revealed that gas-and-steam plumes rose to ~100 m above the lava dome. Prior to the 14 January eruption, a weak thermal anomaly has been registered at Bezymianny since an eruption on 26 July 2003. On 9 January one shallow M 2.2 earthquake was recorded at the volcano. During 10-13 January, a 1-2 pixel thermal anomaly was noted at the volcano and during 10-12 January gas-and-steam plumes rose to low levels above the volcano. Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory, Tokyo VAAC, Anchorage VAAC, Pravda News -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21-27 January 2004 During 16-23 January, following an eruption on the 14th, a lava dome continued to grow at Bezymianny, with viscous lava probably flowing from it. Precise seismic monitoring was hampered due to high-level volcanic tremor at nearby Kliuchevskoi volcano. On 22 January a gas-and-steam plume rose 3.5 km a.s.l. and extended NE. Bezymianny remained at Concern Color Code Yellow. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16-22 June 2004 According to KVERT, an eruption at Bezymianny on 19 June led them to raise the Concern Color Code to Red, the highest level. Activity first began to increase during 11-14 June, when seismicity was above background levels with 2-3 shallow earthquakes daily. On 16 June KVERT raised the Concern Color Code from Yellow to Orange. Then, on 19 June, seismic data were interpreted to indicate that explosive activity during 0840-0930 may have produced an ash plume to 8-10 km a.s.l. Video observations later confirmed the plume height. Satellite imagery showed that the plume extended about 200 km by 1319. Later that day, seismicity decreased and the Concern Color Code was reduced to Orange. Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory, Anchorage VAAC, Tokyo VAAC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23-29 June 2004 An eruption at Bezymianny produced an ash cloud that during 18-19 June extended more than 1,000 km E and SE from the volcano and possible ash deposits extended 190 km SE from the lava dome. Seismicity at Bezymianny did not exceed background levels during 20-23 June. The Concern Color Code at Bezymianny was reduced from Orange to Yellow around 25 June. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5-11 January 2005 KVERT raised the Concern Color Code at Bezymianny from Yellow to Orange on 7 January as seismicity at the volcano increased. On 11 January, the Concern Color Code was raised from Orange to Red (the highest level). According to seismic data, an explosive eruption of the volcano began at 2002 on 11 January and was inferred to have produced an ash column to 8-10 km a.s.l. No visual or satellite data were available as dense clouds obscured the volcano. Seismic activity was above background levels during the past week and increased continuously. About 60 earthquakes of magnitude 1.25-2.25, and numerous weaker, shallow events registered during 7-11 January. Intermittent volcanic tremor was recorded on 10 January. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12-18 January 2005 KVERT lowered the Concern Color Code at Bezymianny from Red (the highest level) to Orange on 12 January when seismic activity returned to background levels following the eruption of 11 January. As seismicity remained at background levels, the Concern Color Code was lowered on 14 January from Orange to Yellow. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11-17 May 2005 Weak gas-and-steam plumes were observed on 6-7 May, but clouds frequently obscure the volcano. A thermal anomaly at the dome was detected in satellite imagery on 6-8, 10, and 12 May. Bezymianny remained at Concern Color Code Yellow. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team via the Alaska Volcano Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30 November- 6 December 2005 Seismic data indicated an explosive eruption at Bezymianny on 30 November. Ash plumes were subsequently seen in satellite imagery extending SW at an altitude of about 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. The Concern Color Code was raised to Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-13 December 2005 After an explosive eruption at Bezymianny on 30 November, seismic activity at the volcano decreased to background levels. On 2 December the Concern Color Code was reduced from Orange to Yellow. On 9 December, KVERT reported that based on past experience with Bezymianny, a viscous lava flow was probably active at the summit lava dome and there were no indications that an explosive eruption was imminent. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-9 May 2006 During 28 April to 5 May, Bezymianny's lava dome continued to grow. Seismicity was above background levels during 30 April to 3 May. Incandescent avalanches were visible on 4 May. At the lava dome, fumarolic activity occurred and thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery. Bezymianny was at Concern Color Code Yellow, which meant an explosive eruption was possible in the following 4 weeks. On 7 May the Concern Color Code was raised to Orange due to an increase in seismicity and the number of incandescent avalanches (14 occurred on 6 May in comparison to 4-6 during the previous 2 days). Intense fumarolic activity occurred, with occasional small amounts of ash. KVERT reported that an explosive eruption was possible in the next 1 or 2 weeks. On 9 May around 1935, the Concern Color Code was raised to Red, the highest level, due to increased seismicity and incandescent avalanches. A gas plume rose higher than 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and a strong thermal anomaly was visible on satellite imagery. An explosive eruption was expected in the next 1 or 2 days. An explosive eruption occurred at Bezymianny on 9 May during 2121 to 2145. The explosion produced an ash column that rose to a height of ~15 km (49,200 ft) a.s.l. A co-ignimbrite ash plume was about 40 km in diameter and mainly extended NE of the volcano. On 10 May around 0100, seismicity returned to background levels and the Concern Color Code was reduced to Orange. Small fumarolic plumes were observed during the early morning of the 10th and lava probably began to flow at the lava dome. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10-16 May 2006 Following an explosive eruption at Bezymianny on 9 May, seismicity was at background levels on 10 May. In addition, fumarolic plumes were observed and lava flows probably extended from the lava dome. On 11 May the Concern Color Code at Bezymianny was reduced from Orange to Yellow. On 12 May, seismicity remained at background levels and gas-and-steam plumes were visible. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team - "Report provided courtesy of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program."