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VONA/Kamchatkan and Northern Kuriles Volcanic Activity

Issued: 20120308/2226Z

VOLCANO: BEZYMIANNY (1000-25)

AVIATION COLOR CODE: RED

Source: KVERT

Notice Number: 16-12

Volcano Location: 55°58'N, 160°36'E;

Area: Kamchatka, Russia

Summit Elevation: 9,496 ft (2,895 m)


Prognosis of Volcanic Activity: Strong explosive eruption began about 21:27 UTC on March 08 - according to seismic data. Explosive eruption will continue and strong ash explosions up to 43,000 ft (13 km) a.s.l. possible at any time. Ongoing activity could affect international and low-flying aircraft.

Volcanic Activity Summary: Strong explosive eruption began about 21:27 UTC on March 08 - according to seismic data. Ash plumes raise up to 5 km a.s.l. at now, but explosive eruption will develop in time. According to video data, ash plumes are extending to the north-east from the volcano.

Volcanic cloud height: ash plumes raise about 16,400 ft (5 km) a.s.l.

Other volcanic cloud information: ash plumes are extending to the north-east from the volcano

Remarks: Bezymianny volcano is one the most active volcano of the world. In 1955, for the first time in history, Bezymianny started to erupt and after six months it produced a catastrophic eruption with the total volume of eruptive products over 3 km3. The lava dome began to grow in the explosive caldera immediately after the catastrophe and continues at now. 42 Vulcanian-type strong explosive eruptions of Bezymianny occurred in 1965-2011, while 20 of them producing ash up to 10-15 km a.s.l. Last explosive eruption occurred on April 13, 2011.

Contacts:
Dr. Olga Girina, Head of KVERT, IVS FED RAS
E-mail: girina@kscnet.ru
Tel. (4152) 29-78-90