This is an X-band seasonal image of the Maly Semiachik volcano, which is part
of the Karymsky volcano group on Kamchatka peninsula, Russia. The image is
centered at 54.2 degrees north latitude and 159.6 degrees east longitude. This
image was acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C and X-band Synthetic
Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on April 9,
1994, during the first flight of the radar system, and on September 30, 1994,
during the second flight. The image channels have been assigned the following
colors: red corresponds to data acquired on April 9; green corresponds to data
acquired on September 30; and blue corresponds to the ratio between data from
April 9 and September 30, 1994. Kamchatka is twice as large as England,
Scotland and Wales combined and is home to approximately 470,000 residents. The
region is characterized by a chain of volcanoes stretching 800 kilometers (500
miles) across the countryside. Many of the volcanoes, including the active Maly
Semiachik volcano in this image, have erupted during this century. But the
most active period in creating the three characteristic craters of this volcano
goes back 20,000, 12,000 and 2,000 years ago. The highest summit of the oldest
crater reaches about 1,560 meters (1,650 feet). The radar images reveal the
geological structures of craters and lava flows in order to improve scientists'
knowledge of these sometimes vigorously active volcanoes. This seasonal
composite also highlights the ecological differences that have occurred between
April and October 1994. In April the whole area was snow-covered and, at the
coast, an ice sheet extended approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) into the sea.
The area shown surrounding the volcano is covered by low vegetation much like
scrub. Kamchatka also has extensive forests, which belong to the northern
frontier of Taiga, the boreal forest ecosystem. This region plays an important
role in the world's carbon cycle. Trees require 60 years to mature in
Kamchatka's 120-day growing season. The forest industry is managing these
forests and practicing selective cutting to allow younger trees time to grow
and reseed. X-SAR images will aid in mapping these deforested areas and in
encouraging further recultivation efforts.
P-44704 October 4, 1994
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