Birth of new cinder dome at Klyuchevskoy volcano, Russia

A moderate flank eruption and a gas-steam activity continue at Klyuchevskoy volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. In addition, a new cinder cone started growing around February 25 with a small lava flow pouring out of it observed on March 2.

Satellite data still show a large thermal anomaly over the flank eruption at the northwestern slope of the volcano.

Flank eruption at Klyuchevskoy volcano on March 8, 2021. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2, ADAM Platform/Antonio Vecoli

The new cinder cone was first reported on February 25 and measured on March 2 after a period of bad weather. At the time, it was 54 m (177 feet) high and had a base width of 101 m (331 feet).

Thanks to videographer Artyom Gromov and his team we have an amazing video of the birth of the new cone:

A small lava flow was observed pouring out of the cone on March 2 when a group of volcanologists from the IVS FEB RAS reached the site.

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 (15 862 feet) high 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 (2 296 feet) wide 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: Flank eruption on Klyuchevskoy volcano on March 8, 2021. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2, ADAM Platform/Antonio Vecoli