Sarychev Peak Volcano

Updated: Apr 4, 2025 02:09 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

Central Kuriles (Kuril Islands), 48.09°N / 153.2°E

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Summit height: 1496 m (4,908 ft)

Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)

Last update: 14 Dec 2021

Sarychev volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Kuril Island chain streching between Kamchatka and Japan. Large explosive eruptions occured between 11-19 June 2009, sending huge ash coulds to altitudes of up to 14 km, and forcing many flights with routes accross the northern Pacific to be cancelled or diverted.

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Typical eruption style: Explosive.
Sarychev Peak volcano eruptions: 2019 (?), 2010 (?), 2009 (12 June, subplinian eruption), 1989, 1986, 1976, 1965, 1960, 1954, 1946, 1932?, 1930, 1928, 1927, 1923, 1878, 1805, 1760

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Background

Sarychev Peak, one of the most active volcanoes of the Kuril Islands, occupies the NW end of Matua Island in the central Kuriles. The andesitic central cone was constructed within a 3-3.5 km wide caldera, whose rim is exposed only on the SW side. A dramatic 250-m-wide, very steep-walled crater with a jagged rim caps the volcano. The substantially higher SE rim forms the 1496 m high point of the island. Fresh-looking lava flows descend all sides of Sarychev Peak and often form capes along the coast. Much of the lower-angle outer flanks of the volcano are overlain by pyroclastic-flow deposits. Eruptions have been recorded since the 1760's and include both quiet lava effusion and violent explosions.
The largest historical eruption of Sarychev Peak began on June, 11, 2009 and produced ash plumes rising to up to 14 kms and pyroclastic flows that reached the sea. The ash plumes drifting westwards at altitudes typical for commercial airplanes forced many flights with routes accross the northern Pacific to be cancelled or diverted.

Significant volcanic eruptions: Sarychev Peak volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Sarychev Peak has had at least 20 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Sarychev Peak volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Sarychev Peak volcano since around 1800. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Sarychev Peak can be found on the news page of Sarychev Peak volcano.

Date	Note	VEI
2020 Feb 29 ±1 d. - 2021 Nov 26	Historical obs./docs.	1
2019 May 16 - Oct 7	Historical obs./docs.	2
2018 Sep 8 - Oct 15	Historical obs./docs.	2
2017 Oct 12 ? - Nov 13 ?	Summit crater and NW flank Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 2010 Sep 20	Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs.	2?
2009 Jun 11 - Jul 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	4
1989 Jan 13 - Jan 14	Historical obs./docs.	1?
1986 Sep 1 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	1
1976 Sep 23 - Oct 2	Historical obs./docs.	2
1965 Dec 9	Historical obs./docs.	2
1960 Aug 30	Historical obs./docs.	3
1954 Aug 16 ±15 d. - Oct 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1946 Nov 9 - Nov 19	Historical obs./docs.	4
1946 Nov 13 (eruption 1946 Nov 9 - Nov 19)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	4
?? 1932 ?	Uncertain Eruption	?
1930 Feb 13	Historical obs./docs.	3
1928 Feb 14	Historical obs./docs.	2
1927	Historical obs./docs.	2?
1924 Feb 15	Near Toporkovyi islet Historical obs./docs.	1
1923 Jan 17 - Jan 22	Historical obs./docs.	2
1879 Jan 15 ±45 d.	Historical obs./docs.	0
1805	Historical obs./docs.	?

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 Sarychev Peak volcano

2009 subplinian eruption
Sarychev volcano has a spectacular eruption on 12-15 June 2009. A powerful explosion produced an sub-plinian eruption column 12-18 km tall which injected large amounts of ash into the stratosphere. The plume extended 200 km to the south-west and 105 km to the south-east. The eruption was mainly observed through satellites, because Sarychev is not monitored with ground-based instruments. The eruption intensified on 14 June, when the column reached 40,000 ft (13 km), and on 15 June, when it peaked at 54,000 ft (18 km) altitude.

1989 eruption
A new eruption began at Sarychev volcano on 14 January 1989. The eruption was preceded by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake near nearby Simushir Island.

1986 eruption
During an overflight on 2 November 1986, a lava flow was observed extending 150 m south of the crater.

1976 eruption
Ash emissions were observed from Sarychev Peak in September 1976.

1960 eruption
A series of explosions destroyed the old lava dome. Ash plumes extended 300 km to the NNE. At the end of the eruption, lava flows occurred.

1954 eruption
Small ash eruptions occurred from Sarychev volcano.

1946 eruption
A large eruption occurred in 1946. Big bombs were ejected as far as 7 km from the crater and the height of the ash emissions reached more than 6 km.

1930 eruption
The eruption in 1930 was a large explosive event lasting 13 hours.

1928 eruption
The eruption of Sarychev in 1928 was explosive.

1878-1879 eruption
During the eruption in 1878-79, a lava flow was erupted.

1760 eruption
The eruption in 1760 was one of the largest of Sarychev Peak in historic times.

Sarychev Peak Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Sarychev Peak volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Sarychev Peak occurred during 2020 - 2021.

+How often does Sarychev Peak volcano erupt?

Since 1765, Sarychev Peak volcano has had at least 20 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 13 years.

+How active is Sarychev Peak volcano at present?

Sarychev Peak volcano is relatively active: Since 1900, it has had 18 eruptions, and been active during 18 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Sarychev Peak has been in eruption one in 7 years on average. The last eruption was from 2020 until 2021 and ended 3 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Sarychev Peak volcano?

The largest eruption of Sarychev Peak volcano in historic times occurred in 2009. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Sarychev Peak 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).