Gamchen Volcano
Updated: Nov 9, 2025 06:56 GMT -
Complex volcano
Kamchatka, Russia, 54.97°N / 160.7°E 
Summit height: 2576 m / 8,451 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
[smaller] [larger]
Gamchen volcano eruptions: 550 BC (?)
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
Gamchen is a complex volcano composed of four stratovolcanoes, one of which is of Holocene age, atop a shield-like structure. Yuzhny Gamchen and Severny Gamchen are two steep-sided eroded stratovolcanoes of Pleistocene age. Edifice-collapse events at Gamchen during the early Holocene produced several large debris-avalanche deposits below the eastern flanks. Molodoi, a small stratovolcano with a well-preserved, shallow crater, is located on the east flank of Severvy Gamchen. Barany, a young stratovolcano with a youthful crater 500 m wide and 200 m deep, is located on the SE flank of Yuzhny Gamchen volcano. Barany (also spelled Baranii) has been the source of a young lava field that extends to the east and NE and was active between about 3600 and 3000 years ago. Lava domes are found on the flanks of the volcanoes; the youngest of these is Lukovitsa dome, which formed during the final stages of activity at Barany. No historical eruptions are known from the Gamchen complex.---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Significant volcanic eruptions: Gamchen volcano
No historic eruptions are known from Gamchen volcano, but evidence from at least 2 eruptions during the past 10,000 years can be found in the geological record.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Gamchen volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Gamchen can be found on the news page of Gamchen volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE flank (Barany, Lukovitsa) | ? | ||||
| SE flank (Barany) | ? | ||||
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
Gamchen Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Gamchen volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Gamchen occurred in 550 BC.
Latest satellite images
Gamchen 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 Gamchen volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Gamchen volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Gamchen volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Gamchen volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Gamchen volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Gamchen volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Gamchen volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Gamchen volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Gamchen volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Gamchen volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Gamchen volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Gamchen volcano (scale of few kilometers)
