Kamchatka, Land of Volcanoes and Colors: Impressions Sep 2019

Kamchatka, land of volcanoes and colors: impressions Sep 2019 - part 3: Tolbachik

Some impressions taken during our recent Kamchatka expedition in Sep 2019: visit of Tolbachik volcano from the south during 13-14 Sep 2019, during a rare window of exceptionally clear weather, with visibility over hundreds of kilometers.
Go to: Part 1: Karymsky, Mutnovsky and Gorely | Part 2: Tolbachik to Shiveluch | Part 4: Avachinsky & Koryaksky

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Kozyrevsk village on a beautiful September morning (13 Sep 2019) (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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The northern group of volcanoes (Ushkovsky, Klyuchevskoy, Kamen and Bezymianny, l-r) seen from the south. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The northern group of volcanoes (Ushkovsky, Klyuchevskoy, Kamen and Bezymianny, l-r) seen from the s... [info]
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Klyuchevskoy and Kamen volcanoes (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Ushkovsky volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Steaming Bezymianny (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Ostry Tolbachik volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Klyuchevskoy and Kamen volcanoes behind the forest line (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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To reach the plateau of Tolbachik's southern rift zone, a 3-4 hour long drive through forest is needed. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

To reach the plateau of Tolbachik's southern rift zone, a 3-4 hour long drive through forest is need... [info]
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Autumn colors in the forest (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Lower parts of the forest are dominated by birch trees (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Higher up, larch trees take over. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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About one hour to go, the cone of Ostry Tolbachik becomes sometimes visible from the road. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

About one hour to go, the cone of Ostry Tolbachik becomes sometimes visible from the road. (Photo: T... [info]
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Ostry and Plosky Tolbachik ("pointed" and "flat") seen when reaching the vast lapilli fields on the southern rift zone. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Ostry and Plosky Tolbachik ("pointed" and "flat") seen when reaching the vast lapilli fields on the ... [info]
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Ostry Tolbachik is the remnant of an older steep-sides stratovolcano, which has collapsed some 6500 years ago towards the south. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Ostry Tolbachik is the remnant of an older steep-sides stratovolcano, which has collapsed some 6500 ... [info]
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The currently active Plosky Tolbachik volcano has a flat, 3 km wide summit caldera with an inner crater, which contained an active lava lake until the eruption in the 1940s. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The currently active Plosky Tolbachik volcano has a flat, 3 km wide summit caldera with an inner cra... [info]
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View of nearby Udina stratovolcano to the east. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Approaching the upper parts of the rift zone where camp is located behind the cinder cones in the foreground. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Approaching the upper parts of the rift zone where camp is located behind the cinder cones in the fo... [info]
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View towards the Eastern (coastal) range. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Udina volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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To the SE, the perfect cone of Kronotzky volcano and still steaming Kizimen volcano are visible in the distance. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

To the SE, the perfect cone of Kronotzky volcano and still steaming Kizimen volcano are visible in t... [info]
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We set up our tents. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Tolbachik camp site; the bad weather during the previous weeks has left the first snow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Tolbachik camp site; the bad weather during the previous weeks has left the first snow. (Photo: Tom ... [info]
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Our charming cook Aliona (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Clear weather continues in the afternoon. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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After a quick lunch, we move down the rift zone to approach the cones of the Great Tolbachik eruption from 1975-76. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

After a quick lunch, we move down the rift zone to approach the cones of the Great Tolbachik eruptio... [info]
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kamchatka_k25038.jpg (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Looking back towards Tolbachik with one of the numerous ciner cones in teh foreground. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Looking back towards Tolbachik with one of the numerous ciner cones in teh foreground. (Photo: Tom P... [info]
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Tundra colors (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Reaching the rim of the enormous, 300 m high, uppermost cone of the 1975-76 eruption, where one of the large lava flows started. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Reaching the rim of the enormous, 300 m high, uppermost cone of the 1975-76 eruption, where one of t... [info]
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The cinders on this cone are all oxidized and often altered, showing many colors enhanced in the low evening light, (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The cinders on this cone are all oxidized and often altered, showing many colors enhanced in the low... [info]
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View to the NE over the vast rift zone. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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One of the most marvelous volcanic panoramas in the world! (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Ostry Tolbachik, Plosky Tolbachik, and Zimina volcanoes with cinder cones in the foreground. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Ostry Tolbachik, Plosky Tolbachik, and Zimina volcanoes with cinder cones in the foreground. (Photo:... [info]
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A row of cinder cones from another flank eruption is located just north of our viewpoint. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

A row of cinder cones from another flank eruption is located just north of our viewpoint. (Photo: To... [info]
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Evening view of the distant Eastern Range. With binoculars, the coast line of the Pacific is also visible. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Evening view of the distant Eastern Range. With binoculars, the coast line of the Pacific is also vi... [info]
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Kronotzky and Kizimen volcanoes in the evening. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Udina volcano in the last sunlight. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Cinder cones hit by setting sun. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Another cinder cone higher up on the rift is painted red by the last sunlight. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Sunset view of Tolbachik and Zimina volcanoes (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Zimina (l) and Udina (r) volcanoes (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Pink clouds at sunset (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Last sunlight on the peak of Plosky Tolbachik (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Tolbachik (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Tolbachik at sunset (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Last picture of Tolbachik, Zimina and Udina volcanoes in the blue hour (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Deep yellow, orange and purple colors at the western horizon. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Nightfall (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Lava bombs (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Curiously shaped lava bomb (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Walking on the side of an old cinder cone along the lava flow of the 2012-13 eruption towards the eruption site (upper left). (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Walking on the side of an old cinder cone along the lava flow of the 2012-13 eruption towards the er... [info]
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Some of the lava flow is ropy pahoehoe lava. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Collapsed lava pond (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Dark, glassy pahoehoe lava intruded the gaps of oxidized 'a'a lava blocks. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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The main eastern lava flow branch with Udina volcano in the background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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An older cinder cone in the background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Collapsed roof of a lava tunnel (2012-13 eruption) (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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The 2012-13 lava flow and Udina volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Hiking along the side of the 2012-13 lava flow (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Ropy pahoehoe lava and Udina volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Small kipuka (patch of old ground spared by the lava flow, literally meaning "island" in Hawaiian language) on the western lava flow field of the 2012-13 eruption. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Small kipuka (patch of old ground spared by the lava flow, literally meaning "island" in Hawaiian la... [info]
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kamchatka_k25199.jpg (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Edge of the lava flow field with Tolbachik in the background (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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View of Tolbachik from the forest road (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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The access road follows the margin of the 2012-13 lava flow, visible in the background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The access road follows the margin of the 2012-13 lava flow, visible in the background. (Photo: Tom ... [info]
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Larch forest (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Forest colors (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Forest (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Autumn in the forest (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Birch forest (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Edge of the 2012-13 lava flow cutting into the forest (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Margin of the 2012-13 lava flow with Tolbachik volcano in the background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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View towards Tolbachik from the vast 2012-13 lava flow (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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View towards Tolbachik from the vast 2012-13 lava flow, with Ushkovsky volcano in the far background to the left. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

View towards Tolbachik from the vast 2012-13 lava flow, with Ushkovsky volcano in the far background... [info]
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View towards Tolbachik from the vast 2012-13 lava flow (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Break in the forest (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Birch forest (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Forest plants (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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View from the river valley towards the volcanic group (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Ushkovsky volcano behind trees (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Klyuchevskoy and Kamen volcanoes (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Tolbachik volcano behind trees (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Sunset over the northern group of volcanoes (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Sunset over Tolbachik (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Last sun-rays hitting Kamen volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Last sun-rays hitting Klyuchevskoy and Kamen volcanoes (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Last sun-rays hitting Ushkovsky volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Sunset panorama with Ushkovsky, Klyuchevskoy, Kamen, and Bezymianny volcanoes (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Kamchatka, land of volcanoes and colors: impressions Sep 2019 - part 3: Tolbachik

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