Kamchatkan and Northern Kurile Volcanic Activity
INFORMATION RELEASE 29-06
Friday, June 16, 2006, 11:0 KDT (22:00 UTC on June 15)

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 5.0 km (16,400 ft) ASL this week. A number of local shallow earthquakes was from 400 till 600 per day. Spasmodic volcanic tremor was registering all days. According to the pilots reports, ash plumes of the volcano rising up to 5.0 km (16,400 ft.) ASL and extending to the south-south-east on June 09. A big thermal anomaly over the volcanic crater was observed all week. The activity of the volcano could affect low-flying aircraft in the vicinity of the volcano.

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

According to volcanologists’ experience, growth of the lava dome continues. Lava effusion is probably occurring at the lava dome. The activity of the volcano could affect low-flying aircraft in the vicinity of the volcano.

Seismic activity did not exceed background levels on June 09, 11 and 14 and one was at background levels in the other days. Four shallow earthquakes were recorded this week. According to video data, gas-steam plumes were rising up to 4.0 km (13,100 ft.) ASL this week. A thermal anomaly was noted at the volcano all days.

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. Gas-steam plumes were rising up to 3.5 km (11,500 ft.) ASL from the lava dome summit. A thermal anomaly over the dome was noted all week. Seismic activity was at background levels last week but ash explosions up to 6 km (19,700 ft.) ASL could occur at any time.