Eruption continues at Klyuchevskoy, ash rising up to 6 km (20 000 feet) a.s.l., Russia

A moderate explosive-effusive eruption continues at the Russian Klyuchevskoy volcano. The Aviation Color Code remains at Orange.

The eruption at 04:56 UTC on November 16 ejected ash up to 6 km (20 000 feet) above sea level, the Tokyo VAAC reported. Emissions continued through at least 11:20 UTC.

According to video and satellite data, a gas-steam plume with some amount of ash extended for 105 km (65 miles) ENE of the volcano, KVERT reported at 05:27 UTC.

A lava flow continues to effuse along the Apakhonchich chute, as seen in this satellite image acquired on November 13:

Lava flow at Klyuchevskoy volcano on November 13, 2020. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2, Platform Adam

Geological summary

Klyuchevskoy (also spelled Kliuchevskoi) is Kamchatka's highest and most active volcano. Since its origin about 6 000 years ago, the beautifully symmetrical, 4 835-m-high (15 862 feet) basaltic stratovolcano has produced frequent moderate-volume explosive and effusive eruptions without major periods of inactivity. It rises above a saddle NE of sharp-peaked Kamen volcano and lies SE of the broad Ushkovsky massif.

More than 100 flank eruptions have occurred during the past roughly 3 000 years, with most lateral craters and cones occurring along radial fissures between the unconfined NE-to-SE flanks of the conical volcano between 500 m and 3 600 m (1 640 – 11 811 feet) elevation.

The morphology of the 700-m-wide (2 296 feet) summit crater has been frequently modified by historical eruptions, which have been recorded since the late-17^th century. Historical eruptions have originated primarily from the summit crater, but have also included numerous major explosive and effusive eruptions from flank craters. (GVP)

Featured image: Lava flow at Klyuchevskoy volcano on November 13, 2020. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2, Platform Adam