The tallest active volcano in Eurasia

The Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s Far East is home to a large group of volcanoes. Area A was considered World Heritage Site in 1996 Due to it being “one of the most prominent examples of volcanic areas in the world”.

Among the volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula is Klyuchevskoye Volcano (also known as Klyuchevskoye or Klyuchevskaya Sopka), which reaches an elevation of 15,597 feet (4,754 m), making the stratovolcano the tallest active volcano in Eurasia.

Klyuchevskoye is also the tallest mountain in Siberia, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire in the Kuril-Kamchatka volcanic arc in far eastern Russia, about 224 miles (360 km) from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Klyuchevskoy is part of the larger Klyuchevskaya volcano group located on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The eastern side of the Kamchatka Peninsula is home to more than 300 volcanoes, 29 of which are currently active. 114 volcanoes have erupted on the Kamchatka Peninsula over the past 12,000 years

A peninsula with a variety of volcanoes

This Landsat 8 satellite image shows just this A few active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula In addition to Klyuchevskoe. The Kamchatka Peninsula is famous not only for the amount of volcanoes, but also for the variety of types of volcanoes.

This satellite image shows active north-south erupting volcanoes, including Shiveluch, Bezymianny, Kizmen, Karymsky and Zhupanovsky, emitting ash and gas that drift southeast. Smoke from forest fires can also be seen north of Sheviloch. Image: NASA, Landsat 8, September 12, 2014, public domain.

Russian explorer Stepan Krasheninnikov wrote about The area in 1755 reports, “Perhaps there is no other region in the world where so many volcanoes and hot springs can be found in such a small area as this one in Kamchatka.”

The northernmost volcano in the satellite image is Shiveluch, a steep stratovolcano 10,771 feet (3,283 m) above sea level. Shiveluch is the active volcano in the far north of the peninsula. Other volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula include Kambalny Volcano, which erupted on March 24, 2017 after 250 years of quiescence.

Towards the south of Shiveluch lies Karymsky (elevation: 5,039 ft, 1,536 m), a stratovolcano with frequent eruptions since 1996 and considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Karymsky and Shiveluch are the largest, most active and continuously erupting volcanoes in the world. It was a Shiveluch at least 60 eruptions over the past 10,000 years.

Satellite image of a snowy scene with four volcanoes erupting. — Snow satellite view of several volcanoes erupting on the Kamchatka Peninsula on April 2, 2010. Image: Terra satellite, NASA, public domain.

The tallest active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula

Over the past 3,000 years, Klyuchevskoye has experienced more than 100 eruptions, including 12 since 2000.

Close-up of Klyuchevskoye volcano eruption surrounded by snow dust. — Close-up of the eruption of Klyuchevskoye volcano on January 9, 2018. Image: Landsat 8, NASA < public domain.

Klyuchevskoye volcano erupted in 2020

On October 23, 2020, astronauts aboard the spacecraft The International Space Station (ISS) has captured evidence of recent volcanic activity at Klyuchevskoye. Against the snow-covered background, the ash-darkened peaks of Klyuchevskoye and Bezymyany can be seen.

Some active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Image of the International Space Station ISS064-E-319. — Some active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Picture of the International Space Station ISS064-E-319.

On November 16, 2013, The International Space Station captured an eruption plume flowing from Klyuchevskoye. Eruption plumes emit steam, volcanic gases, and ash that can be seen pouring out of the volcano. Bezimiani Volcano also appears to be emitting a small plume of steam. Ushkovsky, Tolbachik, Zimina and Udena volcanoes can also be seen in this photo.