Kamchatkan and Northern Kurile Volcanic
Activity
INFORMATION RELEASE 12-06
Friday, March 24, 2006, 10:40 KST
(22:40 UTC on March 23)
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. Thermal anomaly
over the volcanic crater was noted during the periods of visibility of the
volcano. About 40-450 local seismic events were registering every day. Numerous
ash plumes raising up to 4 km (13,120 ft) ASL and extending from the
volcano for about 360 km (223 mi) to south-east and east 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 fumarolic activity and
thermal anomaly were observed during the periods of visibility of the volcano.
Seismic activity was at 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
Seismic activity was at background levels on March 16-17 and
20, and did not exceed background levels in the others days. Fumarolic activity
of the lava dome and thermal anomaly were noted during the periods of visibility
of the volcano. Based on past experience with Bezymianny a viscous lava flow is
probably active at the lava dome summit. There are no indications that an
explosive eruption is imminent next week.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE
CONTACT:
Tatiana Kozhevnikova, KVERT, KB GS RAS
E-mail:
ssl@emsd.iks.ruTel.
(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.