Bezymianny Volcano
Updated: May 1, 2025 15:48 GMT -
stratovolcano
Kamchatka, 55.98°N / 160.59°E 
Summit height: 2882 m / 9,455 ft
Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)
Last update: 30 Apr 2025 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
Bezymianny volcano with the steaming lava dome seen from the east
Bezymianny ("unnamed") was considered extinct until it erupted violently in 1955-56, after a slumber of probably 1000 years. It is one of the most active volcanoes in Kamchatka. The eruption followed a massive flank failure (similar to Mt. St. Helens eruption in 1980) which removed a 0.5 sq km sector of the volcano.
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Bezymianny volcano eruptions: 2017-ongoing, 2016, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2000-05, 1998, 1997, 1996-97, 1994-95, 1993-94, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1986-88, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1981-83, 1980, 1980, 1979, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1971-74, 1965-70, 1964, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1961, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958-59, 1958, 1958, 1957, 1955-57
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 02:57 pm (Kamchatka) | 0.7 1.2 km | 2.8 km (1.7 mi) to the SE | Ust'-Kamchatskiy Rayon, 42 km south of Klyuchi, Ust-Kamchatsky District, Kamchatka, Russia | Info | |
| May 1, 02:07 pm (Kamchatka) | 0.2 0.5 km | 1.8 km (1.1 mi) to the SE | Russia: 119 km From Esso | Info | |
| Wednesday, April 30, 2025 GMT (5 quakes) | |||||
| May 1, 10:36 am (Kamchatka) | 0.8 1.5 km | 9.9 km (6.1 mi) to the NE | Russia: 118 km From Usty-Kamchatsk | Info | |
| May 1, 10:03 am (Kamchatka) | 1.3 29 km | 8.8 km (5.5 mi) to the N | Russia: 120 km From Usty-Kamchatsk | Info | |
| May 1, 08:01 am (Kamchatka) | 0.8 1 km | 22 km (14 mi) to the NW | Russia: 109 km From Esso | Info | |
| May 1, 06:26 am (Kamchatka) | 1.0 6.7 km | 24 km (15 mi) to the S | Russia: 122 km From Esso | Info | |
| May 1, 05:10 am (Kamchatka) | 0.3 1.4 km | 0.9 km (0.6 mi) to the E | Russia: 119 km From Esso | Info | |
| Tuesday, April 29, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Apr 30, 03:49 am (Kamchatka) | 2.0 28 km | 10.5 km (6.5 mi) to the N | 118 km From Esso | Info | |
| Monday, April 28, 2025 GMT (2 quakes) | |||||
| Apr 28, 10:55 pm (Kamchatka) | 2.0 29 km | 10.1 km (6.3 mi) to the N | 119 km From Esso | Info | |
Background
The present-day Bezymianny volcano, lying next to its massive sisters Kamen and Kliuchevskoi, is a young and relatively small volcano only about 4700 years old. It was formed on top of an older volcano built between about 11,000-7000 years ago. 3 periods of intensified activity have been recognized in the geologic history during the past 3000 years. The present-day activity started with the eruption in 1955-56 after a 1000 year interval of repose. At the beginning of the eruption, the summit and a large sector of its flank failed and resulted in a catastrophic landslide followed by a powerful blast. The event left a large horseshoe-shaped crater. Since then, the volcano has been one of Kamchatka's most active. A new lava dome has been growing inside the 1956 crater, frequently producing explosive activity and pyroclastic flows. As of 2011, the lava dome has already largely filled the 1956 crater.Bezymianny Volcano Photos
Panorama of 4 volcanoes (l-r): Ushkovsky, Klyuchevskoy, Kamen and Bezymianny seen from the plateau north of Tolbachik. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
View of Bezymianny (l), Kamen (m), and Kluychevskoy (r) volcanoes from the east. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
On the way to Bezymianny volcano, Kamchatka (Photo: Anastasia)
Steaming Bezymianny volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Bezymianny volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Bezymianny has had at least 68 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 55 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Bezymianny volcano.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Bezymianny volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Bezymianny volcano since around 1990. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Bezymianny can be found on the news page of Bezymianny volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs. | ? | |||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs. | ? | |||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
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 Bezymianny volcano
Eruptions of Bezymianny since 1955
Lava dome growth, large explosions with ash columns up to 10-15 km high, and pyroclastic flows characterize the activity during this (ongoing) period. ...more info
Lava dome growth, large explosions with ash columns up to 10-15 km high, and pyroclastic flows characterize the activity during this (ongoing) period. ...more info
Bezymianny Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Bezymianny volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Bezymianny occurred during 2022 - 2024.
+How often does Bezymianny volcano erupt?
Bezymianny volcano erupts almost every year. Since its first historically documented eruption 1955, Bezymianny has often been near-continuously active. The Global Volcanism Project counts 55 historic eruptions until now, spanning a total of 67 out of 70 years. In other words, Bezymianny is active roughly every one in 1 years on average. This value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruption might not contain all eruptions, especially further back in time. The last eruption of Bezymianny
+How active is Bezymianny volcano at present?
Bezymianny volcano is extremely active: Since 1900, it has been frequently active, showing eruptive activity during 67 years out of 126 as of now. The last eruption was from 2022 until 2024 and ended 9 months ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Bezymianny volcano?
The largest eruption of Bezymianny volcano in historic times occurred during 1955 - 1957. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 5 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.
Latest satellite images
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Bezymianny 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 Bezymianny volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Bezymianny volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Bezymianny volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Bezymianny volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Bezymianny volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Bezymianny volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Bezymianny volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Bezymianny volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Bezymianny volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Bezymianny volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Bezymianny volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bezymianny volcano (scale of few kilometers)
