Kurile Islands, July 2019: sea impressions from Alaid, Chikurachki, Fuss, Kharimkotan volcanoes
Impressions from our pilot tour to the northern Kurile Islands: from Atlasof Island we spend a full day and night sailing to reach Raikoke the following day.
We leave Atlasof Island with Alaid volcano shredded in low clouds. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(102 visti)
(102 visti)
Alaid, tallest peak of the Kuriles, dresses itself majestically in rings of clouds. (Photo: Tom Pfei... [info]
(88 visti)
(88 visti)
Otherwise, the passage between Atlasof and the western coast of Paramushir Island is in fine weather... [info]
(66 visti)
(66 visti)
View back to Alaid, still with rings of clouds around it. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(65 visti)
(65 visti)
As we approach Paramushir Island, the tall peaks of Chikurachki (l) and Fuss (r) volcanoes come into... [info]
(78 visti)
(78 visti)
Chikurachki volcano, one of the most active in the Kuriles, is emitting a plume of steam and possibl... [info]
(56 visti)
(56 visti)
Zoom towards the summit of 1816 m tall Chikurachki with its steam-/gas- plume. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(86 visti)
(86 visti)
Wider angle of Chikurachiki near the Shelihov Bay. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(78 visti)
(78 visti)
Shelihov Bay, with remnants of a former settlement. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(74 visti)
(74 visti)
Soelve photographing birds with his large tele lens. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(89 visti)
(89 visti)
The complex structure of Chikurachki volcano composed of overlapping volcanic edifices. (Photo: Tom ... [info]
(80 visti)
(80 visti)
Closer view to Chikurachki volcano from the W. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(77 visti)
(77 visti)
Erosion valleys on the slopes of the volcano. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(79 visti)
(79 visti)
We're continuing sailing southwards along the western coast of Paramushir Island. (Photo: Tom Pfeiff... [info]
(78 visti)
(78 visti)
A seagull decides to follow us. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(48 visti)
(48 visti)
Its eyes observe what is going on on deck. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(43 visti)
(43 visti)
Something grabbed its attention during flight. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(43 visti)
(43 visti)
Close-up (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(43 visti)
(43 visti)
Chikurachki volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(60 visti)
(60 visti)
... and our new friend. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(49 visti)
(49 visti)
Part of our group is enjoying the great views and amused by the seagull. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(52 visti)
(52 visti)
We approach the southern part of Paramushir, dominated by Fuss stratovolcano (1772 m) which forms a ... [info]
(52 visti)
(52 visti)
Fuss volcano seen from the west. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(54 visti)
(54 visti)
Wider angle view of Fuss volcano and older volcanic mountains in the left background. (Photo: Tom Pf... [info]
(47 visti)
(47 visti)
Older volcanic ranges on Paramushir Island NE of Fuss volcano. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(43 visti)
(43 visti)
The crater of Fuss volcano is breached to the NW and contains a young-looking lava dome, possibly fr... [info]
(39 visti)
(39 visti)
We slowly sail around the volcano now seen from the SW. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(43 visti)
(43 visti)
Wider angle view of Fuss Peak volcano from the SW. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(36 visti)
(36 visti)
Flank of Fuss volcano, showing a thick lava flow layer cut by erosion canyons. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(34 visti)
(34 visti)
View back to Fuss volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(45 visti)
(45 visti)
As we continue southwards, we leave Fuss volcano behind, but our seagull friend stays with us. (Phot... [info]
(37 visti)
(37 visti)
Not before long, it decides to use the boat as a ferry. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(39 visti)
(39 visti)
The seagull will sit still and travel with us for quite a while, effectively saving several miles of... [info]
(40 visti)
(40 visti)
The next day in the evening, after Raikoke, we reach Kharimkotan, a large volcano, which forms a 8x1... [info]
(53 visti)
(53 visti)
The upper half of the volcano is still covered by thick ash deposits from the catastrophic eruption ... [info]
(67 visti)
(67 visti)
The 1933 eruption of Kharimkotan had destroyed the former summit cone of the volcano. (Photo: Tom Pf... [info]
(58 visti)
(58 visti)
Sea bird colony near the shore of Kharimkotan. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(41 visti)
(41 visti)
Ashy slopes of Kharimkotan in the warm evening light. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(46 visti)
(46 visti)
Kharimkotan at sunset. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(40 visti)
(40 visti)
