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Location: 56.06 N, 160.64 E Elevation: 4,850 m (16,005 feet) Last Updated: March 29, 2004 Volcanic Explositivity Index: ~4
Kliuchevskoi is one of the most active volcanoes of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Far Eastern Russia. The volcano has had more than 80 eruptions since 1697. On September 15, 1994, gas and ash shot out of the crater, creating a column 2 km high. Over the next two weeks the eruption continued, and on 1 October a giant eruption occurred. A cloud of ash rose 15-20 km above the volcano. A picture taken by a weather satellite showed that the ash cloud extended 565 km to the SE, and that it was moving at about 140 km/hr (~85 mile/hr)! While ash was being blown out the top of the volcano, new rivers of lava flowed down its flanks. During the next three days the eruption stopped, and only steam rose above the crater.
Because few people live near Kliuchevskoi there was little immediate danger, and most of the ash blew out to sea. However, Kamchatka is on a major airline route and at least one Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet had to fly higher to avoid ash layers at 9-11 km elevation. Aircraft that flew through ash clouds from eruptions of other volcanoes have had their engines clogged with ash and the planes nearly crashed.
KVERT reduced the Concern Color Code to Yellow during 27 February to 5 March.
Seismicity was at background levels or a little bit higher during the preceeding
2 weeks with several shallow earthquakes up to M 2.25 and spasmodic tremor.
Gas-and-steam plumes occasionally rose to 700m above the volcano.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
Seismicity was above background levels, with more than a hundred daily earthquakes
of M 1.25-1.7 at depths of 3-6 km beneath the volcano. Gas-and-steam plumes
rose to ~1 km above the volcano. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code
Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
February 10, 2004
For the last two weeks, seismicity was above background levels. Probable Strombolian activity was seen at the volcano on the evenings of 24 and 26 Januaryand gas-and-steam plumes rose to up ~3 km above the volcano. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 27, 2004
Seismicity was above background levels and ash explosions produced low-level
plumes on 15 January that drifted NW. One of the plumes on January 24 rose to
~2.7 km a.s.l. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 20, 2004
Seismicity was above background levels between January 9 and 16, with ~175
shallow M 1.9-2.5 earthquakes and a large number of weaker events recorded.
Small ash explosions and Strombolian activity was observed. Kliuchevskoi remained
at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 13, 2004
Seismicity was above background levels, with ~115 shallow M1.9-2.3 earthquakes and a large number of weaker events recorded. On January 2 an ash explosion rose slightly above the volcano. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 6, 2004
~33 shallow M 1.9-2.2 earthquakes and a large number of weaker events were recorded again this week. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to low levels above the volcano. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 30, 2003
Seismicity remained above background levels, with the occurrence of ~135 large shallow earthquakes between M 1.9-2.3 and a large number of weaker events. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to low levels above the volcano. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 23, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels with ~150 shallow M 1.75-2.25 earthquakes. Strombolian activity was observed on the nights of December 11 and 13. Gas-and-steam plumes, possibly containing small amounts of ash, rose to low levels above the volcano. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 9, 2003
Seismicity remained above background levels, with an increase in the number of earthquakes recorded. Strombolian activity continued and numerous gas and steam plumes were emitted. The Concern Color Code was unchanged.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 2, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels with numerous shallow earthquakes being recorded. Also, strombolian activity and low-level gas and steam plumes were observed. The Concern Color Code remained unchanged.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
November 25, 2003
On Nov.14-15, strombolian activity and several ~2.5 km-high gas and ash plumes were observed. From the 15-20, seismic activity was above background levels with numerous shallow earthquakes being recorded. The Concern Color Code remained Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
November 18, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels and the Concern Color Code remained Orange. Numerous large and weak shallow earthquakes, spasmodic tremor, strombolian activity and gas and steam plumes were reported.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
November 11, 2003
Unrest continued at Kliuchevskoi with tremor taking place and the number of earthquakes remaining elevated. On the 9th, an ash and steam plume rose ~7 km a.s.l. and extended ~100 km from the summit.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
November 4, 2003
Seismicity and the Concern Color Code remained unchanged. Numerous deep, shallow, weak and larger magnitude earthquakes were recorded. Gas plumes rose ~700 m high and incandescence was seen in the crater.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 28, 2003
Seismicity and the Concern Color Code remained unchanged. Numerous deep, shallow and larger magnitude earthquakes were recorded. Gas and steam plumes were emitted and, on the 18th, an ash plume rose ~6.8 km a.s.l.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 21, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels. Numerous deep and shallow earthquakes were recorded and gas and steam plumes rose 0.5-1.5 km high. Strombolian activity was observed and the Concern Color Code remained Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 14, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels with an increase in earthquake occurrences. Gas and steam plumes rose 1-3 km high and strombolian activity was visible at the volcano's center crater. The Concern Color Code was Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 7, 2003
Seismicity and the Concern Color Code remained unchanged for the week. Numerous earthquakes and ash and gas plumes were reported. Also, Strombolian activity was visible in the central crater on the 25th, 30th and 2nd.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
Seismicity remained above background levels, but the number of occurring earthquakes continued to decrease. On the 24th, a gas-and-steam plume rose ~700 m. The Concern Color Code stayed at Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
September 23, 2003
Seismicity remained above background levels, but decreases in both the number
of earthquakes and the heights of the plumes were recorded. Fresh ash covered
the volcano's W flank and the Concern Color Code remained Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
September 16, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels with 2-9 earthquakes occurring each day at depths of ~30 km. Numerous plumes rose above the volcano with the largest one reaching ~1.5 km high. The Concern Color Code stayed orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
September 9, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels with earthquakes occurring at depths of 30 km. On Aug. 29, gas and steam plumes rose 1 km above the crater. Incandescence was visible on Sept. 4th. The Concern Color Code was Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
September 2 2003
Seismicity was above background levels. On the 26th, Strombolian activity and volcanic bombs were observed. From the 27-28, gas and steam plumes rose 1.5-2 km high. The Concern Color Code remained orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
August 26, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels and up to 15 earthquakes were recorded per day at depths around 30 km. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to 700 m above the volcano and a thermal anomaly was visible on satellite imagery. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
August 19, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels and Gas-and-steam plumes rose to 800 m above the volcano and extended ~15 km S. A thermal anomaly was visible on satellite imagery. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
August 12, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels and up to 18 earthquakes occurred per
day with magnitudes less than 2.1 at depths around 3 km. Gas-and-steam plumes
rose to 2 km above the crater. Thermal anomalies were seen on satellite imagery
on several days.
Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
July 29, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels at Kliuchevskoi, with around a dozen
M 1.8-2.4 earthquakes occurring each day at depths of ~30 km and at shallower
levels. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to a maximum height of ~1 km above the crater.
Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
Volcanic and seismic activity remained at similar high level this week. Explosions sent ash clouds to a height of 1 to 2 km above the volcano and Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
July 15, 2003
Seismicity remained above background levels as is the norm in the last few weeks. Ash explosions reached ~1 km above the volcano each day of the report week, except July 6. On the 4 ash from an explosion reached ~2 km above the volcano. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
July 1, 2003
Seismicity remained above background levels with earthquakes occurring around and above a depth of 30 km. The character of seismicity still indicates that weak gas-and-ash explosions possibly occurred; some plumes were observed which rose 50-700 m above the volcano. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
June 24, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels, but the level of spasmodic tremor remained
near the level of last week. Earthquakes continued to be registered from depths
around 30 km and upward, and their character indicates that weak gas-and-ash
explosions possibly occurred. On June 14, 16, and 17 explosions produced ash-poor
plumes 50-500 m above the volcano. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code
Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
Seismic activity indicated that weak gas-and-ash explosions possibly occurred. The amount of spasmodic volcanic tremor increased and earthquakes continued to be recorded at depths less than 30 km. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
June 3, 2003
Volcanic and seismic activities remained in the same state as last week. In addition to occasional gas-and-steam plumes, pulsing glows were observed above the crater on the night of May 30, but no related ejecta were found. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
May 27, 2003
On May 17, ash deposits were observed on the volcano's E and SE flanks, then for the first time in 7 years, incandescence was visible above the volcano's crater on the early morning of May 18. Also during the week, thermal anomalies were visible on satellite images. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
May 20, 2003
On May 14, an eruption produced a 8.5-km high ash cloud and the Concern Color Code was raised to Orange. Also 26 to 59 earthquakes at depths near 30 km were recorded daily.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
May 6, 2003
Low 300- to 2000-m high gas-and-steam plumes were observed this week which accompanied several shallow and deep minor earthquakes.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
April 29, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels with abundant tremor being recorded. Ash explosions produced numerous plumes and thermal anomalies were present on satellite imagery. The Concern Color Code stayed at Yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
April 22, 2003
On April 15, weak shallow earthquakes, continuous spasmodic volcanic tremor
and ash plumes activity led to a moderate vulcanian eruption that lasted 2 days.
The Concern Color Code remained at Yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
A decrease in the number of daily earthquake occurrences was recorded and fumarolic activity was observed on April 7. No other significant changes were reported from last week's update.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
April 1, 2003
From March 21-28, seismiciy was above background levels. The amount of continuous spasmodic volcanic tremor, as well as the number of reported earthquakes, increased. All other information remained unchanged.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
April 8, 2003
Seismicity was above background levels, but the number of daily earthquake
(at ~30-km depth) occurrences increased. Continuous spasmodic tremor, weak shallow
earthquakes and plumes were reported. The Concern Color Code stayed at Yellow.
Seismicity was above background levels and occasional volcanic tremors were
continuously reported. On March 18-19, gas and steam plumes rose 700-1,500 m
high. The Concern Color Code stayed at Yellow.
Seismicity slightly increased to 10-14 earthquakes/day. In addition to the typical activity level, ash deposits were visible on the volcano's SE summit.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
February 25, 2003
In addition to last week's report, an increase in the number of daily earthquake occurrences and a decrease in the heights of gas and steam plumes were observed.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
February 18, 2003
17 to 30 earthquakes occur each day at ~30-km depth, and gas-and-steam plumes rising up to 1.5 km above the crater were produce. The Concern Color Code remained at Yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
February 11, 2003
Seismicity was slightly above background levels with continuous spasmodic volcanic
tremor being recorded. Gas and steam plumes rose 1.3 km and the Concern Color
Code remained at Yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 21, 2003
Seismicity was slightly above background levels with intermittent spasmodic
volcanic tremor being recorded throughout the week. Gas and steam plumes rose
300 m high and the Concern Color Code remained at Yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 14, 2003
Seismicity remained unchanged at Kliuchevskoi and steam and gas plumes rose 1 km above the volcano. A probable mudflow was seen on Jan. 7 on the SE slope and the Concern Color Code was reduced back to Yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
January 7, 2003
Seismicity was slightly above background levels and a lava flow started traveling
down the SSE slope of the volcano. The Concern Color Code was raised from Yellow
to Orange.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 30, 2002
The Concern Color Code was raised to Orange after a gas-and-ash explosion occurred on the 24th. The resulting ash plume rose 4 km above the crater. By the 27th, the Concern Color Code was reduced back to yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 23, 2002
Gas-and-steam plumes rose ~1.5 km above the crater. Kliuchevskoi remained at Concern Color Code Yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 17, 2002
Seismicity was above background levels when several earthquakes, along with
volcanic tremor, were recorded. Gas and steam plumes rose 1.5 km above the volcano
and Kliuchevskoi stayed at a concern color code yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
December 3, 2002
The level of seismicity activity changed from Nov. 21-27 and each day 7 to 11 earthquakes were recorded at depths of ~30 km. Gas and steam plumes rose ~2 km above the volcano and, on the 24th, weak ashfall was observed. Kliuchevskoi remained at a concern color code yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
November 26, 2002
Gas and steam plumes rose 1-2 km high and seismic activity remained above background
level. The concern color code remained yellow.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
Earthquake activity was extremely high this week. Anywhere from 5-56 earthquakes
occurred on a daily basis from Nov. 8-13 and the volcano was raised to a concern
color code yellow. Also, a gas and steam plume was observed to rise approximately
100 to 900 m above the crater.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
An eruption began on 27 February at 14:55. The ash cloud produced rose to a height of ~6.4 km above sea level
This information was summarized from Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity
According to the Tokyo VAAC, the Kliuchevskoi volcano may have erupted on 4 March. An ash cloud was reported to have risen to a height of ~9.5 km and was visible on GMS-5 imagery.
This information was summarized from Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity
On 28 July, the Kliuchevskoi Volcano erupted and sent ash 2 miles into the air. The thick ash cloud caused aircraft to be diverted from the Kamchatka Region.
This information was summarized from Discovery Online.
On June 26 and 27, a gas and steam plume rose 50 m above the crater. Hypocenters of earthquakes were concentrated at the summit crater and were at shallow depths.
During the week of January 13-20, 1997, seismic activity under Kliuchevskoi volcano was higher than normal. On January 13 and 14 volcanic gas extended 1000-2000 ft (300-600 m) above the volcano's crater. An ash plume stretched for 6.2 miles (10 km) to the east. On January 15, an explosion sent gas and steam to heights of 3900 ft (1200 m) above Kliuchevskoi's crater and stretched for 9.3 miles (15 km) to the southeast. Gas and steam continued to rise from the crater on January 16, but reached only to a height of about 1600 ft (500 m).
Gas and steam reached 325-1000 ft (100-300 m) above the volcano and stretched three miles (five km) to the south
An eruption began from the central crater of Kliuchevskoi at 10:30 AM. Within an hour, explosions threw ash up to 1000 ft (300 m) above the crater. A plume stretched 20-30 miles (30-50 km) to the southeast. By 12:30, this activity had begun to decline. Ash reached only 300 ft (100 m) above the crater at this time. The eruption could have been caused by a collapse of material within the crater
Information summarized from Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network (Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC) Sept. 1994, and Global Volcanism 1975-1985. Edited by L. McClelland, T. Simkin, M. Summers, E. Nielson and T. Stein (Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 1989).
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