The active volcanoes of Kamchatka and Paramushir Island, North Kurils in 2007

Abstract

-Eight strong eruptions of four Kamchatka volcanoes (Bezymyannyi, Klyuchevskoi, Shiveluch, and Karymskii) and Chikurachki Volcano on Paramushir Island, North Kurils took place in 2007. In addition, an explosive event occurred on Mutnovskii Volcano and increased fumarole activity was recorded on Avacha and Gorelyi volcanoes in Kamchatka and Ebeko Volcano on Paramushir Island, North Kurils. Thanks to close cooperation with colleagues involved in the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) project from the Elizovo Airport Meteorological Center and volcanic ash advisory centers in Tokyo, Anchorage, and Washington (Tokyo VAAC, Anchorage VAAC, and Washington VAAC), all necessary precautions were taken for flight safety near Kamchatka.

The Eruptions of Sarychev Peak Volcano, Kurile Arc: Particularities of Activity and Influence on the Environment

“…These tendencies have continued in current century. Explosive eruptions occurred many times on Chikurachki volcano (Girina et al, 2008). Phreatic and phreato-magmatic explosions were detected on the Ebeko, Berga, Chirinkotan, Severgin volcanoes.…”

On precursor of Kamchatkan volcanoes eruptions based on data from satellite monitoring

“…It is well known that seismic activity of the volcano between culminations is very weak, though slow extru sion of lava flows on the dome flank is observed, and a weak thermal anomaly is detected in satellite images (Chubarova, et al, 1983;Girina, et al, 2009;Tokarev, 1966). Gradual increase of amount and energy of seismic events directly indicates on warning signs of strong explosive eruption of the volcano (Chubarova, et al, 1983;Tokarev, 1966).…”

“…By the end of any terminal Klyuchevskoy eruption its explosive activity always increases accompanied by ash plumes which can rise up to 8-10 km and drift to 5000 km of the volcano Girina, et al, 2009). …”

“…Continuous satellite monitoring of Bezymianny volcano has been conducted by KVERT scientists since 2002, episodic monitoring since 1998 (Girina, 2008;Girina and Gordeev, 2007;Girina, et al, 2009 Fumarole activity at Bezymianny between explo sive eruptions poses threat only to local aviation. Eruption build up and especially paroxysmal stage of an explosive eruption is extremely dangerous for inter national airlines because such eruptions usually evolves rapidly, producing ash plumes which raise up to 8-15 km a.s.l.…”

International Coordination in Managing Airborne Ash Hazards: Lessons from the Northern Pacific

“…They need an approval before or during a flight when they change their route and/or flight level; re-routing to avoid a volcanic eruption is no exception. Over the past two decades, more than 60 strong explosive eruptions in the Russian Far East (Girina et al 2007(Girina et al , 2009(Girina et al , 2014aGordeev and Girina 2014;McGimsey and Neal 1996;McGimsey and Wallace 1999;McGimsey et al , 2004aMcGimsey et al , b, 2005McGimsey et al , 2008McGimsey et al , 2011McGimsey et al , 2014Neal and McGimsey 1997;Neal et al 2004Neal et al , 2005aNeal et al , b, 2009aNeal et al , b, 2011Neal et al , 2014 have tested coordination among relevant agencies and institutions in Japan, the Russian Federation, the United States, and Canada, prompting ongoing testing of existing systems with a number of lessons learned. Critical to meeting this challenge of a rapid, international response to volcanic ash cloud hazard is development of written, updated, and practiced response plans or agreements detailing roles and responsibilities.…”