Kamchatkan and Northern Kurile Volcanic Activity
INFORMATION RELEASE 28-06
Friday, June 09, 2006, 10:30 KDT (21:30 UTC on June 08)

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 3.5 km (11,500 ft) ASL this week. Number of local shallow earthquakes increased till 600 this week. Spasmodic volcanic tremor was registering all days. A thermal anomaly over the volcanic crater was observed on June 05-08. 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. There were recorded three deep earthquakes on June 01-02 and 05 and two shallow earthquakes on June 02 and 04. Gas-steam plumes (on June 05 and 08) were observed at the volcano. A thermal anomaly over the volcanic crater was noted on June 02-05 and 07-08. 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: 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 on June 02 and 06 and one was at background levels in the other days. Five shallow earthquakes were recorded this week. According to video data, gas-steam plumes rose up to 7.5 km (24,600 ft) ASL on June 05. A thermal anomaly was noted at the volcano on June 03-05 and 07-08. Lava effusion is probably occurring at the lava dome.