Kamchatkan and Northern Kurile
Volcanic Activity
INFORMATION RELEASE 09-06
Friday, March 03, 2006, 10:10
KST (22:10 UTC on March 02)
SUMMARY OF LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR
CODES:
KAMCHATKA:
KARYMSKY:
ORANGE
SHEVELUCH and BEZYMIANNY:
YELLOW
KLYUCHEVSKOY,
TOLBACHIK PLOSKY, KIZIMEN, AVACHINSKY, KORYAKSKY, MUTNOVSKY and GORELY: GREEN
NORTHERN KURILE:
EBEKO,
CHIKURACHKI and ALAID: GREEN
KARYMSKY VOLCANO: 54o03'N, 159o27'E;
Elevation 1,486 m.
CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE:
ORANGE
Seismic data and satellite observations
indicated that the eruption of the volcano with ash explosions from the summit
crater continues. Ash explosions up to 6 km (or 19,700 ft.) ASL are
possible.
Strombolian activity of the volcano
continues. Big thermal anomaly over the volcanic crater was noted all week.
Numerous ash plumes extending up to 140 km (87 mi) to north-east and east from
the volcano were observed on satellite images. The activity of the volcano could
affect low-flying aircraft in the vicinity of the volcano.
SHEVELUCH VOLCANO: 56o38'N, 161o19'E;
Elevation 3,283 m, the dome elevation ~2,500 m.
CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN
COLOR CODE: YELLOW
Growth of the lava dome continues. A weak
fumarolic activity and thermal anomaly were observed during the periods of
visibility of the volcano. Seismic activity did not exceed background levels
last week but ash explosions up to 6 km (19,700 ft.) ASL could occur at any
time.
BEZYMIANNY VOLCANO: 55o58'N,
160o36'E; Elevation 2,895 m
CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE:
YELLOW
There was no seismic data on February 24-27
due to technical problems. Seismic activity did not exceed background levels
last three days. Based on past experience with Bezymianny a viscous lava flow is
probably active at the lava dome summit. Fumarolic activity of the lava dome and
small thermal anomaly were noted during the periods of visibility of the
volcano. There are no indications that an explosive eruption is
imminent.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE
CONTACT:
Svetlana Droznina, KVERT, KB GS
RAS
E-mail: ssl@emsd.iks.ru
Tel.
(41522) 59523
The Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response
Team (KVERT) is a non-commercial cooperative program of the Alaska Volcano
Observatory (AVO, USA), the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (IVS) FED
RAS and the Kamchatkan Branch of Geophysical Service(KB GS) RAS (Russia). KVERT
staff is available in the office from 8:30 AM till 6:00 PM (KST or KDT) and by
phone during the evenings. KVERT uses daily satellite imagery, information from
remote scientific observation stations, real-time seismic data for 10 volcanoes,
and other information to monitor activity at Kamchatkan and Northern Kurile
Volcanoes.