The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) received the following release via e-mail from KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team). Kamchatkan Standard Time (KST) is 21 hours ahead of Alaska Standard Time. All time and dates are UTC, if not marked specifically.

Eruptive activity continues. Strombolian explosions occured intermittently from a cinder cone in the summit crater. Lava flows extend from this cone down the northwest flank of the volcano. Occasional vigorous explosions from the summit crater and along the path of the lava flow are producing ash plumes that reach as high as 7-8 km or 23,000-26,200 ft. ASL and travel many tens or hundreds of kilometers downwind. The current eruption of the volcano can intensify suddenly and poses a hazard to aviation. The network of seismometers maintained by KEMSD does not allow calibration of ash plume height from the seismic signal.

Seismic activity was above background levels all week. A great number of shallow earthquakes and 59 earthquakes of Ml=1.6-2.1 were recorded. Ash-gas plumes rose up to 3,200 m above the crater (or 26,250 ft ASL) on March 11-12 and up to 500-2,000 m above the crater (or 17,200 - 22,150 ft ASL) extending for 10 km (or 6.2 mi) to the west on March 11 and to the west-northwest on March 12, to the north-east on March 14, for 10 km (or 6.2 mi) to the east on March 15. There was ash fall at Kozyrevsk on March 11. Strombolian bursts rose about 500 - 1,000 m above the summit crater (or 17,200 - 18,900 ft ASL). Two lava flows were observed on the north-western slope of Klyuchevskoy volcano on March 15. Clouds obscured the volcano at other times. According to satellite data from the USA and Russia, a large thermal anomaly was registered at the volcano all week. Ash-gas plumes extending for about 60 km (or 37.3 mi) to the west-southwest on March 10, about 300 km (or 186 mi) to the west on March 11, for 100 km (or 62.1 mi) to the north-east and 120 km (or 74.6 mi) to the north-northwest on March 12, about 80 km (or 49.7 mi) to the west and on March 14, for 100 km (or 62.1 mi) to the north-west and to the east on March 15, about 150 km (or 93.21 mi) to the north-east on March 16 were observed.

SHEVELUCH VOLCANO: 56 38'N, 161 19'E; Elevation 3,283 m,
the dome elevation ~2,500 m.
CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS ORANGE.

The growth of the Sheveluch lava dome continues. At any time and with little warning, explosions could produce ash plumes that rise as high as 6 km or 20,000 ft. ASL, as well as localized ash fall, pyroclastic flows and associated mudflows. Beginning on February 27, seismic station SVL (8 km from the lava dome) failed. Strong volcanic tremor at nearby Klyuchevskoy volcano makes it difficult to determine seismicity at Sheveluch from a seismic station at Klyuchi (45 km from the volcano). However, based on the persistent bright thermal anomaly, visual observations from Klyuchi and 25-years-volcanologists' experience of the study of this volcano, we infer that extrusion of lava continues.

An ash-gas plume rose up to 2,800 m above the dome (17,400 ft ASL) on March 11. Gas-steam plumes up to 800 - 1,200 m above the dome (10,800 - 12,140 ft ASL) extended for 10 km (or 6.21 mi) to the west on March 11-12 were observed. According to satellite data from the USA and Russia, a thermal anomaly at the dome (all week) and large thermal anomaly over the pyroclastic flow (on March 11-12) were noted. Clouds obscured the volcano at other times.

KARYMSKY VOLCANO: 54  03'N, 159  27'E; Elevation 1,486 m.
CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS ORANGE.

Elevated seismic activity continues. The danger of a sudden explosion or series of explosions of ash up to 4 km (or 16,500 ft.) ASL remains. A local ash fall within a few tens of km around the volcano is also possible.

Seismic activity was above background levels for all week. The number of local shallow events was about 300-350 per day till March 12 and about 170-230 on March 13-15. Possible ash-gas explosions up to the 1,500 m above the crater (or 9,800 ft ASL) on March 14 and up to 1,000 m above the crater (or 8,200 ft ASL) on March 16 occurred. According to satellite data from the USA and Russia, a weak thermal anomaly was registered at the volcano on March 11. Possible ash plume for 10 km (or 6.21 mi) extending to the east and small ash cloud (~7 km to the north from volcano) were noted on March 12. Ash deposits on the southern sector of Karymsky volcano was noted on March 12.

BEZYMIANNY VOLCANO: 55 58'N, 160 36'E; Elevation 2,895 m
CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW.

Unrest at the volcano continues. Strong volcanic tremor at nearby Klyuchevskoy volcano makes it difficult to determine seismicity at Bezymianny, and KEMSD GS RAS is unable to accurately determine the state of the volcano. However, based on the persistent thermal anomaly, visual observations from Kozyrevsk and many years volcanologists' experience of this volcano study, we infer that extrusion of lava continues.

Gas-steam plume extending to the west on March 11 was observed. Clouds obscured the volcano at other times. According to satellite data from the Russia, a weak thermal anomaly was registered at the dome on March 10-12.

EBEKO VOLCANO, Paramushir Island, Northern Kurile:
50 41'N, 156 01'E, Elevation 1,156 m
CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW.

Sudden explosions of ash as high as 3 km (9,840 ft.) ASL remain possible. Seismic activity decreased this week.

Clouds obscured the volcano all week. On March 12-14 no seismic activity was registered. On March 15 two seismic events were noted.

CHIKURACHKI VOLCANO, Paramushir Island, Northern Kurile:
50 19'N, 155 28'E, Elevation 1,816 m
CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW.

Eruptive activity of the volcano was noted on March 12. Sudden explosions of ash as high as 6 km (19,700 ft.) ASL remain possible. Chikurachki volcano is not monitored with seismic instruments. KVERT has satellite monitoring and occasional visual messages about this volcano.

AAccording to observers from Severo-Kurilsk, Paramushir Island, a gas-steam plume was observed on March 11-16.According to satellite data from Russia and the USA,an ash plume extending to the north-northwest from the volcano was observed on March 12. Clouds obscured the volcano at other times.