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Chikurachki Volcano

Updated: Jul 25, 2025 16:07 GMT -
stratovolcano
Paramushir Island (Kuril Islands), 50.33°N / 155.46°E
Summit height: 1816 m / 5,958 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 10 Mar 2024 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
Chikurachki stratovolcano on Paramushir Island (northern Kuriles)
Chikurachki stratovolcano on Paramushir Island (northern Kuriles)

Chikurachki stratovolcano forms highest peak on Paramushir Island in the northern Kurile island arc just south of Kamchatka Peninsula. It is one of the region's most active volcanoes.
The volcano itself is a relatively small cone, compared to other volcanoes of the Kurile Islands, but it is built on top of the high-lying remnants of an older and now extinct predecessor volcano. The dominantlyc basaltic one has steep slopes with little erosion and a shallow summit crater of approximately 450 m in diameter. The upper part of Chikurachki's cone is red, caused by oxidized basaltic-to-andesitic scoria deposits.

Eruptions of Chikurachki volcano:
There are 2 principal types of eruptions from Chikurachki: 1) frequent strombolian (mildly explosive) eruptions, such as in 1958, 1961, 1964, 1973, 2002, 2003, and 2) (sub-)plinian (extremely violent and dangerous) explosive eruptions such as in 1853 and 1986.
The strombolian-type eruptions usually last between several days to few weeks, and produce ejections of incandescent lava reaching 100-500 m height above the crater, but can occasionally produce ash plumes of up to 3 km height.
Many eruptions from Chikurachki are accompanied by lava flows. Some have reached the sea and form capes on the NW coast, and there are young lava flows on the upper eastern flank.
Basaltic plinian eruptions are a globally rare phenomenon, but common at Chikurachki volcano, and it is estimated that they have occurred every 100–200 years. Such eruptions - similar to the Icelandic Grimsvötn's eruption in June 2011 - are capable of producing tall ash plumes reaching 10-20 km and pose a significant hazard to aviation in an area densely populated by flight routes from N-America to Asia.

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Typical eruption style: strombolian & effusive
Chikurachki volcano eruptions: 2022, 2016, 2015, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2002, 1986, 1973, 1964, 1961, 1958, 1853-59

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location

Background

The Tatarinov group of 6 volcanic centers is located immediately to the south of Chikurachki, and is not listed as a separate volcano.
In contrast to the frequently active Chikurachki itself, the Tatarinov volcanoes have erupted much less in the past few thousands of years, as shown by extensive erosion. There is stratigraphic evidence (tephrochronology) of only one eruption in historical time from Tatarinov. The southern cone contains a sulfur-encrusted crater with fumaroles active along the margin of a crater lake until 1959, suggesting this volcano might be still active.
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Sources:
Smithsonian GVP volcano information
Chikurachki KVERT information

Chikurachki Volcano Photos

Significant volcanic eruptions: Chikurachki volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Chikurachki has had at least 28 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 20 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1933 from Chikurachki volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Chikurachki volcano since around 1800. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Chikurachki can be found on the news page of Chikurachki volcano.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
2023 Jan 28 - Feb 8
Historical obs./docs.
2
2022 Jan 17 - Oct 17
Historical obs./docs.
2
2021 Mar 21 - Aug 25
Historical obs./docs.
1
2016 Jul 27 - Aug 30Summit crater
Historical obs./docs.
2
2016 Mar 29 - Mar 31Summit crater
Historical obs./docs.
2
2015 Feb 16 - Feb 18Summit crater
Historical obs./docs.
3
2008 Jul 29 - Aug 8 ?
Historical obs./docs.
2
2007 Aug 19 - Nov 1 ±7 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
2007 Mar 4 - Apr 18
Historical obs./docs.
2
2005 Mar 12 - Apr 7
Historical obs./docs.
1
2003 Apr 17 - Jul 3 ?
Historical obs./docs.
2
2002 Jan 25 - Apr 22 ?SSE part of summit crater
Historical obs./docs.
2
1986 Nov 18 - Dec 7
Historical obs./docs.
4
1973 Aug 10 - Sep 28
Historical obs./docs.
2
1967 Sep 6 - Sep 20
Historical obs./docs.
2
1964 Feb 1 - Feb 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
1961 May 2 - Aug 10
Historical obs./docs.
1
1958 May 26 - May 27
Historical obs./docs.
2
1957 May 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
?? 1933 Apr 15 ±45 d.
Uncertain Eruption
?
1853 Dec - 1859
Historical obs./docs.
3?
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Eruptions of Chikurachki volcano



2008 eruption
Chikurachki had a series of ash eruptions in the summer of 2008. The strongest was probably on 29 July 2008, when the Tokyo VAAC reported an ash plume reaching 20,000 ft (6.1 km) altitude. The ash plume drifted 30 km WSW.

2007 eruptions
Small to moderate ash emissions reaching 10,000 ft elevation occurred at the volcano in August 2007. Ash plumes were visible on satellite images extending up to 300 km NE of the volcano on 28-30 August (VAAC Tokyo).

2005 eruption
On 1 March 2005, observers in Severo-Kurilsk (70 km NE of Chikurachki) observed an ash plume rising 400 m above the volcano. On 23 March, satellite imagery showed a ash plume drifting 70 km E of the volcano (USGS / GVP weekly reports).

2003 eruption
Ash emissions from Chikurachki were detected on satellite images on 18 April 2003. The origin was a powerful vulcanian eruption with at least 3 pulses. Ash clouds reached a maximum of 25,000 ft altitude (ca. 8 km), and extended south to a maximum 250 km (155 mi) or more. Eruptive activity continued at smaller levels until around 16 June 2003.
---
Source:
Robert G. McGimsey, Christina A. Neal, and Olga Girina (2005) "2003 Volcanic Activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of Events and Response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory", USGS Open-File Report 2005-1310

2002 eruption
A new series of eruptions began at Chikurachki on 25 January 2002. Explosions formed a small new crater on the SSE part of the summit crater. Eruptions continued until around 16 March 2002, when ash fell in Podgorny settlement, 20 km SE of the volcano. According to a report from the town of Severo-Kurilsk, a hunter observed a permanent ash column to a height of 2500m (8200 feet) ASL accompanied by thunder on 7 February.
Source: GVP monthly reports

1986 basaltic plinian eruption
On 19 November 1986 a new powerful summit eruption began at Chikurachki volcano. The eruption started with small explosions ejecting dark ash, increasing to an eruption column of 1 km height within 30 minutes. The eruption column increased further to 3 km and a 20-m-thick lava flow was erupted. 3 pyroclastic flows moved down the SE flank. Satellite images showed a plume extending roughly 350 km to the ENE at 23h00 local time.
The eruption peaked on 20-21 November accompanied by strong felt earthquakes and volcanic lightning. The ash column reached a maximum of 10-11 km height and an ash plume was seen on satellite imagery extending up to 500 km to the E. 2 lava flows descended to 560 m altitude.
After midnight on 21 November explosions began to decrease. A lava flow began on the southeastern flank of the volcano and advanced 3 km in 5 days, its thickness at the front being 35-40 m. On 1 December explosions ceased in the crater.
---
Sources:
GVP monthly reports
Ovsyannikov A A, Muraviev Y D, 1992. The 1986 eruption of Chikurachki volcano. Volc Seism, 1992(5-6): 3-20 (English tranlation 1993, 14: 493-514)

1853 basaltic Plinian eruption
The eruption of Chikurachki in 1853 was one of the biggest knwon at the volcano. It was one of the basaltic Plinian eruptions. Its ash deposits contained a minimum volume of 0.07 cubic km, and covered an elliptical area with the axis towards NE. Maximum thickness of the deposit was 4.2 m. The calculated maximum height of eruption column was 14 km.
---
Source:
A.A. Gurenko et al. (2005) "Explosive basaltic volcanism of the Chikurachki Volcano (Kurile arc, Russia): Insights on pre-eruptive magmatic conditions and volatile budget revealed from phenocryst-hosted melt inclusions and groundmass glasses", Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 147, pp 203–232

Chikurachki Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Chikurachki volcano?

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Latest satellite images

Chikurachki satellite image sat1Chikurachki satellite image sat2

Chikurachki Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Chikurachki volcano (scale of few kilometers)
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Thu, 23 Feb 2023, 03:00

Chikurachki volcano (Paramushir Island, Russia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 15 February-21 February 2023 (New Activity / Unrest)

KVERT reported that moderate eruptive activity at Chikurachki had ended, with explosions and ash plumes last recorded on 8 February. Steam-and-gas emissions persisted. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow and then Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale) on 18 February. ... Read all
Wed, 15 Feb 2023, 15:00

Chikurachki volcano (Paramushir Island, Russia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 8 February-14 February 2023 (New Activity / Unrest)

KVERT reported that a moderate explosive eruption at Chikurachki continued during 2-9 February. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during 5-6 February and ash plumes drifted 125 km SE, E, and NE. The Aviation Color Code remined at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). ... Read all

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