Contact | subscribe report news || Français | Deutsch
edit translation
Satelite Image by (c) Google & NASA
Satelite Image by (c) Google & NASA

Kliuchevskoi volcano
stratovolcano 4835 m (15,863 ft)
Kamchatka, 56.06°N / 160.64°E
Kliuchevskoi volcano eruptions:
1697-98, 1720-21, 1727-31, 1737, 1740, 1762, 1767, 1770, 1772, 1785, 1787, 1788, 1789-90, 1791, 1807, 1812, 1813, 1819-22, 1829, 1840, 1848, 1852, 1853-54, 1865, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1882, 1883, 1890, 1896-97, 1890, 1896-97, 1898, 1904, 1907, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1915, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1935-36, 1937-39, 1944-1945, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960-63, 1963-64, 1965-1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1971-73, 1974, 1977-80, 1981, 1982, 1982-83, 1984-85, 1986, 1986-90, 1991, 1992, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1996-97, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2002-04, 2005 - ongoing
Typical eruption style:
Dominantly explosive, strombolian and vulcanian activity, sometimes lava flows from fissure vents. At present in a phase of near-persistant activity.
Kliuchevskoi webcams / live data

Volcano news: Klyuchevsky

Thursday, Oct 28, 2010
Kliuchevskoi remains highly active, producing spectacular strombolian activity and two lava flows from the summit. ...more [read all]
Saturday, Jun 26, 2010
Kliuchevsky volcano is showing regular strombolian activity, with jets of incandescent lava and ash clouds reaching several hundreds meters, as shown on recently published photos on the KVERT website. [read all]
Wednesday, Jun 09, 2010
A strong eruption of Klyuchevsky volcano on 8 June 2010 produced an ash plume to ca. 7-8 km elevation. (Source: VAAC) [read all]
Thursday, Nov 12, 2009
Seismic activity from Klyuchevskoi remains above background levels and there is Strombolian activity ejecting tephra up to 300 m above the crater. [read all]
Thursday, Aug 06, 2009
It was reported, that the seismic activity on Kliuchevskoi is increasing and also there were thermal anomaly on the summit. The Level of Concern Color Code was raised to Yellow. [read all]
Thursday, Jan 15, 2009
It was reported that there was high seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi during 1-9 January. There was Strombolian activity and lava effusion on the NW flank. Satellite imagery shows a large daily thermal anomaly in the crater. Also ashfall was reported in Kozyrevsk village. [read all]
Friday, Nov 21, 2008
The seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi was above background levels during 7-13 November. Visual observations showed that during 8 and 10-12 November gas-and-steam plumes that contained a small amount of ash rose to an altitude of 5.1 km. There was a daily thermal anomaly in the crater. The Level of Concern Color Code remained Orange. [read all]
Friday, Oct 31, 2008
It was reported that there were earthquakes at Kliuchevskoi during 17-24 October and also fumarolic activity has been noted over the time of 17-23 October. Also a thermal anomaly has been noted on satellite images. The Level of Concern Color Code remained Orange. [read all]
Thursday, Oct 23, 2008
It was reported that seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi was above background levels during 10-17 October. Fumarolic activity was noted during 10-11 and 13-16 October. Observers in Klyuchi, about 30 km to the NE, reported nighttime incandescence in the crater on 13 and 14 October. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed a thermal anomaly in the crater during 10-11 and 13-15 October. The Level of Concern Color Code remained Orange. [read all]
Thursday, Jul 26, 2007

KVERT reported that seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi was at background levels during 13-20 July. Based on observations of satellite imagery, ash plumes drifted E on 13 July and a thermal anomaly in the crater was noted during 13-20 July. Ash plumes rose to an altitude of 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE and E during 13-15 July, according to video and visual observations. Gas-and-steam plumes were observed on 12, 16, and 18 July.

[read all]
Friday, Jul 06, 2007
GOES satellite image showing the ash plume on 29 June streching from Klyuchevskoy extending across the Bering Sea to Unimak Island. Source (AVO website: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/)

The strong explosive activity at Klyuchevskoy continues. Since June 28, the strongest explosions have been generating ash columns to 10 km high and the resulting ash plume is now forming a band of ash streching as far as Alaska. The ash plume is of major concern for aircraft in the area and air traffic in the area needs to be diverted.

...more [read all]
Monday, Jul 02, 2007

Strong explosive and effusive activity at Klyuchevskoy volcano continues. The activity peaked on 29-30 June when near continuous ash emissios produced ash plumes more than 10 km (or 32,000 ft) high that extended up to 300 km  to the west and south-west. 
KVERT maintains the highest level of alert for Klyuchevskoy.

...more [read all]
Friday, Jun 22, 2007

8-15 June: Seismic activity about background levels. Thermal anomaly at the crater and also Strombolian and Vulcanian activity.

...more [read all]
Thursday, Jun 14, 2007

Kliuchevskoi continues to be active above background levels. Video and visual observations during 1-4 June show strombolian and vulcanian eruptions at the summit crater, as well as lava flows generating steam explosions where hot lava interacts with ice on the NW and SE flanks. Ash plumes rose to altitudes of 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and SE during 1-6 June. Plumes were seen on satellite imagery drifting E and S during 1-8 June. Based on information from KVERT, the Tokyo VAAC reported that an ash plume rose to an altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW on 12 June.

...more [read all]
Thursday, Jun 07, 2007

On 1 June the Level of Concern Color Code for Kliuchevskoi was lowered from Red to Orange.

...more [read all]
Thursday, May 31, 2007

8-25 May: Seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi continued above background levels and a thermal anomaly in the crater was detected on satellite imagery.

...more [read all]
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

KVERT reported that during 11-22 May, seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi continued above background levels and a thermal anomaly in the crater was detected on satellite imagery. According to video data and visual observations, Vulcanian activity at the terminal crater and phreatic bursts at the NW flank of the volcano were observed on 11 and 16 May. Also on 11 and 16 May, ash plumes rose to 9.7 km (31,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and NE, respectively. Clouds inhibited observation on other days. Ashfall was reported from the town of Klyuchi, about 30 km to the NE, during 11-12 and 16-17 May. KVERT raised the Level of Concern Color Code  from Orange to Red on 17 May.

[read all]
Thursday, May 17, 2007

The explosive-effusive eruption of Klyuchevsy volcano continues and the alert level has been raised to red. Ash explosions more than 10 km (32,800 ft.) ASL could occur at any time. The activity of the volcano could affect international and local aircraft.
The amplitude of volcanic tremor has increased during last few days. According to visual data from Kozyrevsk and Klyuchy, an ash plume from the central crater about 9700 m (31900 ft) ASL was observed at 03:50 UTC on May 16 extending to the North. According to satellite data, ash plumes extended for 200-600 km (125-370 mi) to the north-east, north-west, and east from the volcano this week. A large thermal anomaly was noted all days.

...more [read all]
Saturday, May 12, 2007

Based on observations and video data, KVERT reported that Strombolian activity occurred at Kliuchevskoi during 27 April-4 May.
Seismic activity continued above background levels and a thermal anomaly in the crater was detected on satellite imagery.
Mudflows and lava flows continued to advance on the NW flank. Phreatic activity and ash plumes from lava-flow fronts were noted.
Gas-and-steam plumes containing ash rose to altitudes of 6.2 km (20,400 ft) a.s.l. during the reporting period and were visible on satellite imagery drifting S and SE. Based on information from KVERT, the Tokyo VAAC reported that ash plumes rose to an altitude of 5.2 (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE on 3 May.
According to a news article, an ash plume rose to altitudes of 5.3-5.5 km (17,400-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE on 7 May. Ashfall was reported from the town of Klyuchi, about 30 km to the NE. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange

[read all]
Thursday, Apr 26, 2007

During 13-20 April, Strombolian activity occurred at Kliuchevskoi, based on observations and video data. Seismic activity continued above background levels and a thermal anomaly in the crater was detected on satellite imagery. Fumarolic activity intensified during 15 and 17-18 April. Gas-and-steam plumes possibly containing small amounts of ash rose to altitudes of 6.3-7.2 km (20,700-23,600 ft) a.s.l. during 15 and 17-18 April and drifted in multiple directions. Based on pilot reports, satellite imagery, and observations in the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Flight Information Region (FIR), the Tokyo VAAC reported several E-drifting ash plumes. They rose to altitudes of 5.2 (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and 8.8 km (29,000 ft) on 18 and 22 April, respectively. On 24 April, KVERT reported mudflows and phreatic activity at lava flow fronts on the NW flank. Resultant ash plumes rose from the lava flow fronts to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange

[read all]
Thursday, Apr 05, 2007

Based on observation and video data, lava from Kliuchevskoi flowed down the NW flank on 29 March. On 31 March, lava bombs from Strombolian activity were projected about 100-200 m above the crater. According to a news article, lava flows are interacting with snow and ice and producing vapor plumes.

...more [read all]
Saturday, Mar 31, 2007

Mild strombolian activity continues at Klyuchevsky volcano. Over the past weeks, explosions were observed throwing lava bombs about 50-100 m above the crater.

...more [read all]
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007

Weak explosive activity at Klyuchevsky began on February 15. Strombolian activity ejecting lava bombs up to 50-100 m above the crater were observed on February 16-18. According to the satellite data from Russia and USA, a thermal anomaly in the area of the terminal crater was observed.

...more [read all]
Friday, Feb 16, 2007

Kamchatka's Klyuchevskoi volcano started erupting Thursday Feb. 16. KVERT reports increased seismicity and visible strong strombolian / vulcanian activity, producing jets of incandescent material to 300 m above the crater and ash plumes to an altitude of 5-6 km.

[read all]
Saturday, Feb 25, 2006

Klyuchevskoy volcano remains quiet.

[read all]
Friday, May 20, 2005

The Kamchatka Volcano Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that seismic activity of Klyuchevsky volcano is at background level, but a thermal anomaly is visible on satellite imagery at the summit crater. The team considers the possibility of explosions that produce ash plumes that reach as high as 6 km (or 19,700 ft).

[read all]
Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005

Eruptive and seismic activity at Klyuchevsky volcano, neighbour of Sheveluch (also active at the time of writing) has decreased but remains. According to press reports, strong strombolian explosions from the summit crater eject ash and blocks to up to 1000 m above the crater and lava flows are travelling down the upper flanks, interacting with ice and snow, that produce secondary ash clouds.
It cannot be excluded that stronger explosions from the summit crater occurr with no or little warning; they could produce ash plumes that reach as high as 7-8 km or 23,000-26,200 ft above sea level and travel many tens or hundreds of kilometers downwind.
Klyuchi settlement is situated between Shiveluch and Klyuchevsky and receives periodically light ash fall, but the settlement is still being regarded "safe".

[read all]
Thursday, Mar 24, 2005

As KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team) reports, the eruption at Klyuchevkoy volcano in Kamtchatka has increased dramatically:
"Continuous explosions from the summitcrater could produce ash plumes that reach as high as 10 km or 32,800 ft above sea level and travel many tens or hundreds of kilometers downwind. The current activity of the volcano is very dangerous to aviation. <...> Seismic activity of the volcano has increased. <...> According to visual and video data, agas-steam plume containing some amounts of ash rose up to ~7500 m (24600ft) ASL on March 22 and up to ~ 8500 m (27,800 ft) ASL on March 23, extending to the north-west. There was ash fall at Kluchi from 18:45 till present time on March 23. According to data from AMC Yelizovo, an ash plume rising up to 7,000 m (23, 000 ft.) ASL and extending 70-80 km (44 -50 mi) to the north-west was observed by pilots of aircraft AN-72 N 71602 at 23:05UTC on March 23."

[read all]

NASA photo of the eruption of Klyuchevsky volcano on 30 September, 1994, the volcano's largest explosion in 40 years. The large
NASA photo of the eruption of Klyuchevsky volcano on 30 September, 1994, the volcano's largest explosion in 40 years. The large

Background:

Kliuchevskoi is Kamchatka's highest and most active volcano.  Since its origin about 6000 years ago, the beautifully symmetrical, 4835-m-high basaltic stratovolcano has produced frequent moderate-volume explosive and effusive eruptions without major periods of inactivity.  Kliuchevskoi rises above a saddle NE of sharp-peaked Kamen volcano and lies SE of the broad Ushkovsky massif.  More than 100 flank eruptions have occurred at Kliuchevskoi during the past roughly 3000 years, with most lateral craters and cones occurring along radial fissures between the unconfined NE-to-SE flanks of the conical volcano between 500 m and 3600 m elevation.  The morphology of its 700-m-wide summit crater has been frequently modified by historical eruptions, which have been recorded since the late-17th century.  Historical eruptions have originated primarily from the summit crater, but have also included numerous major explosive and effusive eruptions from flank craters.


---


Source: Klyuchevsky information by the GVP (Smithsonian Institution)