Why do they happen so often in Kamchatka? What is the reason for such violent seismic activity? And what threatens the neighborhood of a smoking cone to people living nearby? In this article we will try to understand this issue. And we will also hold a competition for the most beautiful ones. After all, they are the real calling cards of the peninsula. When you hear the word “Kamchatka”, then pictures of harsh nature usually come to mind: tundra, foamy mountain streams, columns of steam rising from the ground like incense burners in a pagan temple ... And all this against the background of almost perfectly cone-shaped volcanoes, above which, as from a gigantic wigwam of giants, smoke rises to the sky. When you are here, you experience a special feeling: as if a mighty and terrible beast is sleeping nearby. What will happen the next minute when he turns over, opens his eyes, wakes up?

"Ring of Fire" of the Pacific Ocean

Let us first understand the cause of volcanic activity on, together with the Kuril and Aleutian Islands, Japan and Alaska, it is included in the so-called Pacific Fire Belt. The reason for the activity is subduction, that is, the movement of the Eurasian and oceanic plates of the lithosphere towards each other. Their friction causes frequent earthquakes and magma outflows to the surface of the earth. The "Ring of Fire" encircles all the coasts of the Pacific Ocean, from across the equator to Antarctica. Indonesia is considered the most active in terms of seismic activity, and in our country - Kamchatka. Volcanic eruptions are observed there several times a year. And this circumstance is one of the motives for tourists to visit the harsh and beautiful land.

There are more than three hundred volcanoes in Kamchatka. At the same time, at least thirty-four of them do not sleep.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka

What volcano should be attributed to the most-most in Kamchatka? If we proceed from the height parameter, then, without a doubt, Klyuchevskaya Sopka is in the lead. This is the most grandiose volcano in Eurasia. Its absolute height is 4750 meters above sea level. Klyuchevskoy is also known for his ideal contours. An almost perfect cone covered with ice, over which a jet of smoke constantly rises, was considered sacred by the local population.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka is a capricious and unpredictable beauty. Sometimes it goes into hibernation for five years, and sometimes it goes on a rampage every month. But we must pay tribute to Klyuchevskaya Sopka. She is absolutely not bloodthirsty. The nearby village of Klyuchi is covered with volcanic ash from time to time, but tragedies happen, according to experts, only through the fault of the people themselves, who want to take a closer look at the volcanic eruption in Kamchatka. Photos taken by such unfortunate tourists are the last in their lives.

Koryak

And yet one can understand people who, risking their lives, get closer to the fiery lava flow in order to film the volcanic eruption in Kamchatka. What colorful and spectacular photos are obtained! But maybe an unprepared tourist should confine himself to a panoramic shot of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky? The city is surrounded by a magnificent ensemble of two volcanoes - Koryaksky and Avachinsky. The first, by the way, occupies a leading position in terms of relative height. It is (from the bottom to the top) 3300 meters.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka "grows" on the slope of an ancient extinct stratovolcano. This explains its almost five-kilometer height relative to the level of the World Ocean. And without the "pedestal" Klyuchevskoy ascended only three thousand meters. But scientists call Koryaksky a stratovolcano. Its powerful circus at an altitude of 3456 m above sea level is bound by ice. And only from numerous cracks fumaroles break out.

Kamchatka handsome man

If we talk about the perfection of forms, then nothing on the peninsula can compare with the Kronotsky volcano. Its absolute height is 3528 m, and its relative height is 3100. This volcano has a ribbed regular contour, which is crowned with a glacier cap. The handsome man seems to be admiring his reflection in the waters of the largest Kamchatka lake. In this massif it is worth visiting the Uzon caldera. The last volcanic eruption in Kamchatka occurred eight and a half thousand years ago, which formed this giant annular funnel with a diameter of ten kilometers. Cold rivers flow here and hot springs flow, in which, despite being close to the point, bacteria and algae live. As in a bathhouse, here bears roam the warm clay, wrapped in steam. In principle, tourism on the Kronotsky volcano is quite safe. But this area is protected.

Karymsky

Volcanic eruptions in Kamchatka are frequent. But the record holder for activity is Karymsky. It is low (about one and a half thousand meters above sea level). Karymsky was formed only six thousand years ago. This youth explains his "explosive character". Over the past century, the volcano has "buzzed" twenty-three times. The latest volcanic eruptions in Kamchatka were especially memorable. The consequences of this two-year activity (1996-1998) can hardly be overestimated. In addition to explosions, ejections of stone bombs and ash, there was an eruption under the bottom of Lake Karymskoye. As a result of hundreds of shocks, a tsunami was formed. Waves reached fifteen meters.

But it wasn't the tsunamis that did the most damage. The temperature in the lake rose sharply, the water was oversaturated with acids and salts from magma. Because of this, all life in the natural reservoir perished. Previously, the lake was famous for being ultra-fresh. Now it is known as the largest in the world with acidic water.

Other consequences of volcanic eruptions in Kamchatka

Everyone remembers how in 2010 the Icelandic Eyjafjallajokull paralyzed air traffic in Europe for several weeks. Kamchatka volcanoes can also throw a jet of steam and ash many kilometers into the air. However, strong air currents in this area and the proximity of the ocean make such an obstacle for airliner flights short-lived. But quite often the activity of Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Kizimen and other volcanoes causes concern for ground controllers. They assign them yellow, orange and red aviation codes - depending on the degree of threat to aircraft passing over them. After all, it also happens that the inhabitants of Klyuchi do not see their own hand because of the ashes thrown out by Klyuchevskaya Sopka.

Volcanic eruptions in Kamchatka may also have a longer-term effect. They break out of numerous cracks If you stand on the edge of the Maly Semyachik crater, admiring the smoking green lake, then in calm weather you will begin to cough. It will be necessary to urgently take the legs from this deadly beauty.

Kamchatka is a real museum of volcanology. Its mountain ranges, which contain fire-breathing mountains, are part of the great Pacific ring of fire. The area within the boundaries of the Pacific Ocean, which contains most of all active volcanoes on the planet. In this part of the earth passes the largest chain of the mountain range, both underwater and terrestrial. The total number of volcanoes in this arc reaches 540, and 328 of them are still active to this day. 90% of all earthquakes on the planet occurred here.

Calculations of scientists at different times show different numbers. No one can say exactly how many volcanoes there are in Kamchatka, because the concept of acting has not been precisely defined so far, and the number of small ones cannot be counted. The mountain ranges of Kamchatka are part of the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc, and the total amount of its emissions is 20% of the total volume erupted by the giants of the entire planet. The main data indicate that the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc includes 300 volcanoes, most of which are located in Kamchatka, of which 72 are active, and 28-30 of them belong to the Kamchatka Territory. There are also volcanic structures on the territory of Kamchatka. Their number, according to some sources, reaches more than 7000 pieces. The Kuril Islands, in turn, contain up to 800 volcanic structures. Most of these formations remain poorly understood. More analysis was carried out for dangerous volcanoes that can cause damage to humans and their economic activities. Also considered are those buildings for which at least one eruption has been recorded for 3000 - 3500 years. The Kuril-Kamchatka region includes 70 such objects.

The mountain ranges of Kamchatka are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the nomination "Volcanoes of Kamchatka". All of them are combined into one Natural Park of the same name and contain four specially protected areas scattered throughout the peninsula: Nalychevo Park, South Kamchatsky Park, Klyuchevskoy Park and Bystrinsky. The first of them contains 4 operating facilities out of their total number in Kamchatka. These are Avachinsky, Koryaksky, Zhupanovsky and Dzenzur (debatable). The question about the activity of the latter is still open. Kozelsky, Aag and Arik also adjoin on the south side, and on the western side Dome and Vershinsky. Also on the territory of the park you can find volcanic buildings Pinachevsky, Kekhkuy, Ivulk and many others. The park is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The boundaries of the South Kamchatka Park include 7 objects: Vilyuchinsky, Mutnovsky, Ilyinsky, Asacha, Khodutka, Zheltovsky and Ksudach. Klyuchevskoy Park is the youngest and most beautiful park in Kamchatka. Included in the UNESCO list later than the rest. Within its limits are located: the most famous giant of Eurasia, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Bolshaya and Malaya Udina, Oval Zimina and Ploskaya Zimina, Plosky and Sharp Tolbachik, Krestovsky, Ushkovsky, Kamen and Bezymyanny. There are also more than 400 cinder cones and the largest glaciers on the peninsula. The most famous volcano in Bystrinsky Park is Ichinskaya Sopka, the highest active volcano in the Sredinny Range on the peninsula. All giants are protected at the international level.

An integral manifestation of volcanic activity are mud volcanoes and thermal springs, including even geysers. Within the boundaries of active objects, water, together with gases, passes through a mass of clay and forms a mud clay volcano. The territory of Kamchatka includes about 200 healing springs, 2/3 of which are hot. A significant part of them is located in the Eastern mountain belt. The western coast of Kamchatka practically does not contain them, and in the northern regions such sources are completely absent. Some of the hot springs are located in the craters themselves, or occupy the bottom of the caldera. Many are used for medicinal purposes or tourism activities. The manifestation of this kind of activity in natural complexes is also under the protection of local significance and constant monitoring.

Manifestations of volcanism in Kamchatka occurred as early as the Cretaceous period. Intensified activity of volcanoes began only in the last couple of million years. Quaternary time in Kamchatka is considered the time of formation of its two main mountain belts: the Middle and Eastern. Over the past million years, about 100 large volcanic formations have formed on the Eastern Range. Shield, stratovolcanoes and calderas. Also at this time, more than 1000 small cinder cones were formed. The age of some buildings is not so great and reaches only 10,000 years.

So many volcanoes in Kamchatka can be justified due to the fact that the peninsula is located between a huge continental stratum and the Pacific Ocean, which gives it such unique features, expressed in the form of volcanic activity. Along the entire perimeter, the lithospheric plate of the Pacific Ocean, as it were, is underlain by the plates of the continent, and the latter, in turn, overlaps with it. Thus, the movements of the Pacific plate contribute to the expulsion of igneous rocks from the bowels of the Earth to the surface. There are also places where lithospheric plates do not nest under each other, but simply dock. This does not lead to the formation of volcanoes, but their movements contribute to strong earthquakes. Such movements in the earth's crust occur under the water column, which can lead to strong tsunamis with catastrophic consequences.

The Klyuchi village in Kamchatka is considered the record holder for the number of volcanoes nearby. Its surroundings host 5 active giants, not counting the extinct ones. The first volcanology station was built here in 1935. On September 1, observations began over the nearby Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Since that time, volcanologists have been actively monitoring the objects of Kamchatka. The researchers collected materials from the eruptions, analyzed the activity, temperature and composition of the lava. It was decided to mark the start of the station's work by climbing to the top of the Klyuchevskoy volcano. The group included a woman, S.I. Naboko, who turned out to be the first female volcanologist to conquer the Klyuchevskaya Sopka crater for the first time. In 1946, for the first time, aerial photography was used to study the giants.

The first head of the volcanology station was V.I. Vlodavets, who studied the features of volcanoes not only in Kamchatka, but also on the Earth as a whole. According to his calculations, the number of active buildings in historical time on Earth was 947 pieces. Later, all volcanologists used his classification to define the concept of an "active volcano", as well as his other studies.

Another important figure in the study of this area was B.I. Piip, who became a co-author of the geological map of the Kamchatka Peninsula, and since 1948 began to study the most dangerous phenomenon in those years of the Shiveluch eruption.

An interesting fact is the printing of the catalog "Volcanic eruptions of the world" in 1979. It contains eruptions of more than 900 volcanoes since 1500 BC, and their total number reaches 5150 times.

To systematize scientific data on the state of volcanic objects in Kamchatka, as well as the entire Kuril-Kamchatka island arc, an information system was created, which since 2010 has been operating as a portal of IV&S FEB RAS and is called VOKKIA. It contains information about the quantity, geological, volcanological, geochemical and other data. The first subjects of her research were only active volcanoes that were active more than 10,000 years ago. The system results in scientific papers, publications, as well as online resources and official websites of the organization. Registered users have access to data. According to this resource, you can find out how many active volcanoes are in Kamchatka, as well as how many extinct volcanoes are in Kamchatka.

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Eruptions attract not only our compatriots to Kamchatka, but also many foreigners. Many photographers come, including to capture these rare shots.

Volcano tours are what most tourists come for

The article contains information about the most famous volcanoes of Kamchatka. Indicates interesting facts from the life of the peninsula. Explains the reason for the activity of Kamchatka volcanoes.

Kamchatka is located in the northeast of Eurasia. From the west it is washed by the waters of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, from the east by the Bering and Pacific Oceans.

Interesting facts about the peninsula include the fact that there are almost three hundred volcanoes here, about three dozen of which are active.

The local volcanoes of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands are included in the Fiery Belt, which captures the Pacific coast. On the territory of the Russian Federation, this is the only area where active volcanoes can be observed.

The peninsula is characterized by an elongated shape and stretches in the northeast to southwest direction for almost 12,000 m. Its maximum width is about 450,000 m. A narrow isthmus connects Kamchatka with the continent. The uniqueness of the territory lies in the fact that there are a huge number of volcanoes.

There are volcanoes here:

• extinct;
• sleeping;
• operating.

Volcanoes of the peninsula occupy 40% of the total area of ​​the territory.

Gorely volcano is active. Its height is almost 2000 m above sea level. The volcano consists of eleven superimposed cones and thirty craters. Some of them are filled with acid, some contain fresh water.

Rice. 1. Gorely volcano.

During the "life" of the volcano, scientists have noted about fifty eruptions of the hill.

The next active giant of the peninsula is the Mutnovsky volcano. Its height is about 2300 m. The hill contains several cones, which now form a single array. The cone of northwest orientation has all the signs of volcanic activity.

Although the volcano is active, it reminds of itself only with emissions of gases of volcanic origin. There are many thermal springs here and one of the largest geothermal deposits on the planet.

Rice. 2. Geothermal springs of Kamchatka.

But Klyuchevskaya Sopka is recognized as the highest volcano in Kamchatka. The height of the volcano changes all the time and ranges from 4,750 to 4,850 meters. Klyuchevskaya Sopka is the highest active volcano not only in Kamchatka, but also in Eurasia. It erupts once every five years, but sometimes more often. All activity of volcanoes is recorded and reflected in reports, which help to prevent undesirable consequences and prevent possible disasters.

Why volcanic eruptions occur in Kamchatka

The main reason for volcanism not only in Kamchatka, but also in any seismically active places is the internal structure of the planet.
The Pacific Ring of Fire is a place of interaction between lithospheric plates.

Rice. 3. volcanic eruption.

"Volcanoes of Kamchatka" is the most visited site in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The protected area was established on December 6, 1996 and united six specially protected natural areas of the peninsula.

Lithospheric plates, due to their enormous weight, put pressure on liquid magma, which breaks out through natural faults in the earth's crust. Collision of plates is also the cause of earthquakes.4.2. Total ratings received: 127.

Kamchatka is one of the most beautiful places in Russia. Today, tourists come here from all over the world, but in the days when planes did not yet surf the sky, it could take a whole year to travel from Moscow to Kamchatka. What other amazing facts about Kamchatka exist?

Volcanoes in Kamchatka are part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, which is the most seismically dangerous place on Earth. Most of the volcanoes are located in this area. Until now, scientists have not been able to determine the exact number of volcanoes in Kamchatka. In various sources, this figure ranges from several hundred to several thousand. Most scientists claim that there are more than three hundred volcanoes in Kamchatka today.

The volcanoes of Kamchatka are also distinguished by their unique forms and reliefs. This is due to the fact that they appeared in different eras. Today, each of them manifests its activity in different ways. Most of the Kamchatka volcanoes date back to historical times, when they did not show any activity. Kamchatka volcanoes were first written about in the book "Description of the land of Kamchatka" (1756), which was written by the famous explorer-traveler S. Krasheninnikov. Since that time, more than a hundred catalogs with descriptions of Kamchatka volcanoes have been published.

The volcanoes of Kamchatka are an amazing natural phenomenon, which is confirmed by the following facts:

• In fact, the height of the Klyuchevskoy volcano is even greater than that recorded in scientific sources. It continues to grow every year. This is due to the constant eruptions of the volcano. Today it is approaching the mark of 5 thousand meters.
• Scientists believe that the eruption of the Klyuchevskoy volcano began in 1983. In 2009, an intensification of the eruption of the main Kamchatka volcano was noted. And it continues to this day.
• Despite the large number of active Kamchatka volcanoes, eruptions do not cause great losses. Old-timers do not remember a single eruption, when a large number of human casualties were recorded.
• 208 of the 29 volcanoes that are active today are located in the east of the Kamchatka Territory.

There is also a belief among the inhabitants of Kamchatka, according to which to see a distant volcano at the very dawn means that the weather will be fine all day.

The most significant facts about Kamchatka

• In those days, when there were no airplanes, the journey of an ordinary person from the capital of our country to the Kamchatka Territory took at least a year.
• The Kamchatka Territory is so huge that such states as Luxembourg, Portugal, England and Belgium can easily be placed within its borders.
• A huge number of bears live in the Kamchatka forests. In the summer months, when the forest is full of berries, you can see an amazing picture - bears grazing in the meadows like livestock.
• In the stories of local hunters, there are legends about Kamchatka bears weighing under 600 kg. In fact, the largest individuals of bears living in Kamchatka weigh about 400 kg. The usual weight of a bear is from 200 to 300 kg.

• Not everyone knows, but during the existence of the USSR, Kamchatka was one of the closed regions. Residents of the Soviet Union could get here only with a special pass. Foreigners could not even dream of setting foot on Kamchatka.
• There are practically no really aggressive bears in Kamchatka. Surprisingly, local brown bears prefer fish. At a time when there is no fish in Kamchatka's reservoirs, local clubfoot prefer to eat berries and mushrooms. The meat "diet" of local bears is not held in high esteem.
• An amazing plant called a bunch grows in Kamchatka. It has an incredibly sweet juice that can cause severe burns and ulcers if it comes into contact with human skin. They may not heal for months. However, the Itelmens (ancient inhabitants living on the territory of Kamchatka) were able to use the bunch for good. They extracted sugar from it. But the Cossacks knew how to make wine from this plant. In this case, the resulting drink had rather strange properties. It was enough to drink three glasses of wine infused with a bunch, and all night the man had the most incredible dreams. In the morning, instead of a hangover, an absolutely depressing state appeared.

• The capital of Kamchatka, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka, is today the oldest city located in the Far East. In 2017, he will turn 277 years old. The mention of this city regularly appears in various writings and notes of historians and travelers. Many navigators managed to visit Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
• Truly amazing is the folk art of the inhabitants of Kamchatka. Local tales are passed from mouth to mouth. According to Kamchatka legends, a real hero with remarkable strength once lived in these parts.
• Koryaks have always been considered the main population of Kamchatka. Scientists believe that such an unusual name of the people comes from the word "deer", which in translation into the local dialect sounds like "choir". However, the Koryaks themselves never called themselves that. They called their people "deer people" or "chavchuvens".

• In the Kamchatka Territory, so much dwarf pine grows that from a bird's eye view it resembles a dark green carpet against the backdrop of ridges. It is only at first glance that the cedar dwarf looks like a small wood. In fact, this is one of the most difficult places in the region. Dwarf grows on the mountains in such a way that its branches are always directed to the bottom of the slope. Infusion of branches of pine elfin is a life-giving drink that saves from scurvy. Cones that ripen in autumn break off the cedar season. Nutcrackers flock to the harvest, bears come and people come.

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