Kamchatkan and Northern Kurile Volcanic Activity
INFORMATION RELEASE 27-06
Friday, June 02, 2006, 10:30 KDT (21:30 UTC on June 01)

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

Eruptive activity at the volcano continues. According to seismic data, ash plumes rose up to 3.3 km (11,000 ft) ASL this week. Number of local shallow earthquakes increased till 200-500 this week. Spasmodic volcanic tremor was noted on May 30-31. Big thermal anomaly over the volcanic crater was observed on May 27-31. The activity of the volcano could affect low-flying aircraft in the vicinity of the volcano.

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 YELLOW.

Growth of the lava dome continues. Weak gas-steam plumes (on May 27-31) were observed at 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: 55°58'N, 160°36'E; Elevation 2,895 m
CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW.

Seismic activity did not exceed background levels. Five shallow earthquakes were recorded on May 27-30. According to video data, weak gas-steam plumes were noted on May 28-29. A thermal anomaly was noted at the volcano on May 27 and 29. Lava effusion is probably occurring at the lava dome.