Karymsky volcano (Karymskaya Sopka) in Kamchatka: height, age, last eruption

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

The breathtaking spectacle of formidable earthly forces has always aroused both horror and curiosity in people. Volcanoes of the earth are one of the most terrible phenomena that can destroy all life on earth. Humanity has not even come close to being able to control such energies. Eruptions have occurred only in the memory of modern mankind, it is difficult to understand what forces are involved.

Slightly more than 130 years ago, Krakatoa on the islands of Indonesia rumbled so that it could be heard for 4800 km. Eruptions from the crater of the volcano spread over 500 km and rose to a height of 55 km. For about 5 days, earth vibrations were felt throughout the planet. More than 36 thousand people died, 165 villages disappeared. All this is terrifying. In addition, the volcanic eruption caused a tsunami.

Volcanoes of Russia

It is believed that all Russian volcanoes are concentrated in the Kamchatka Territory and Sakhalin. This is partly true. Among them is not the smallest and calmest Karymsky volcano.

But Siberia and the Far East know other troubled places. So, another year 1344 was marked by the fact that Anik rumbled in the Primorsky Territory. The eruption of 1610 is known on the Vitim plateau in the Baikal rift zone. Closer to us in time is the 1775 eruption of Balagan-Tas in the Mamonsky district of Yakutia. The turbulent period was 400 million years ago in Khakassia, Krasnoyarsk Territory. Among the famous elders, one can note Chalpan or Karlygan with Kashkulak.

Kazbek rises more than 5,000 meters near the Russian-Georgian border. He seems to exude calmness. But even 2, 5 thousand years ago, he spewed smoke and lava. The highest mountain in Russia and Europe - Elbrus - is also from the family of volcanoes. The Temryuk district of the Krasnodar Territory has two at once, including Tizdar. It erupted in 2002.

Ancient history

Volcanoes can sleep for thousands of years and suddenly start erupting. For them, time is measured in millennia. More than 7,500 years ago, the life of a volcano called Dvor ended with powerful explosions, and a young Karymsky volcano arose in the resulting caldera.

The hill rose above 1500 meters. The young monster continued to destroy. The entire central part of the progenitor and most of the southern side were destroyed. A caldera with a diameter of 5 km was formed, open to the Karymskaya River from the south, and surrounded by steep mountains on the other sides. Today, the gentle cone of the Karymsky volcano (hill) rises to a height of about 1468 meters.

Geographic location

Mysterious Kamchatka is a peninsula of the North-East of our Motherland. More than 6.5 thousand kilometers in a straight line separates its regional center from the capital of the country. Over 8 hours of flightmodern aircraft. There is no rail or road connection to the mainland. The peninsula itself stretches over 1200 km from North to South and occupies 270 thousand km². This is more than the three B altic European countries combined. There is still room for Hungary. The harsh region is dissected by two mountain ranges - Sredinny and Vostochny. The Eastern Range descends to the coast of the cold Bering Sea.

It is this mountainous country, not far from the Kronotsky Bay, that owns the most active volcano in Russia - Karymsky. At the same time, three more operate on the territory of the region - Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Bezymyanny, Shiveluch. In Kamchatka, the Karymsky volcano may not be the largest and most beautiful, but the most active - that's for sure.

Eruptions

More than 20 eruptions have been documented since 1852. One of the most interesting happened in early 1996. Another ejection occurred, which marked the beginning of the last eruption of the volcano. Initially, activity was manifested at two centers at a distance of 6 km between them. Later, a single one formed - the Karymsky volcano.

The beginning of activity was clearly visible from the regional center - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The plume of ash and smoke stretched for 70 km. Almost continuously there were gas-ash emissions - above 1200 meters. Hot lava flows up to 700 meters long from the crater of the volcano were recorded along the southern slope of the volcano.

At the same time, volcanic activity was taking place in Lake Karymskoye. The water literally boiled, throwing out columns of steam. Surface ice was scattered in all directions. Almost all living things in it were destroyed.

Today

In our millennium, Karymskaya Sopka woke up in 2009. Columns of ash and gas rose to a height of up to 3 km, but then he quickly calmed down. The last volcanic eruption occurred in early 2015 and lasted 16 months. Since then, he has been sleeping peacefully. But he is considered the most unpredictable and dangerous.

Tourist routes

Karymsky volcano belongs to the group of the same name, consisting of 9 centers of activity. At the foot of the hill is Karymskoye Lake. The water mirror covers 10 km². After the eruption of 1986, a crater with a diameter of 600 meters was formed from the northern part, where the depth reaches 60 meters. There is an active thermal field off the South Coast. Hot water constantly rises from the earth, sometimes bursting out in fountains. Previously ice-bound, today the lake has a water temperature of at least 20 ^oC.

Karymskaya river flows near the lake. Only 45 km long, it flows down to the Kronotsky Bay in a stormy stream.

Volcanic hill with an adjacent lake has long been an attractive place for tourists to visit. Since 1964, a tourist route from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to the foot of the hill has been approved. The walking part of the route starts from the village of Zhupanovo, passes through a fir grove, next to a waterfall on the Novy Semyachik River, and then to Maly Semyachik and through Karymsky to the lake.

Today these places can be visited using the helicopter tourist route. Contact with the power of wild nature always leaves an unforgettable experience.

Kamchatka Volcanoes

Besides Karymskaya Sopka, there are at least 10 more volcanoes near the Kamchatka Peninsula. Any of them will be a gem of a tourist route:

The Uzon caldera acquired its modern look no more than 40 years ago. Then activity began at the site of the failure. A terrible eruption formed a kilometer funnel. The caldera around is rich in the beauties of the Kamchatka Territory. This place becomes especially beautiful in early autumn, when a riot of colors begins to play.
The huge cone of Klyuchevsky is considered the most famous place in Russia. An almost regular mountain cone rises to a height of more than 4750 meters. A plume of smoke rises almost constantly from the vent.
Maly Semyachik has three craters. One of them is filled with an acid lake with a water temperature of up to 45 ^oC. The place is rightfully considered one of the wonders of Kamchatka.
The throaty, elongated ridge has 11 craters, some of which are filled with acid lakes.
Avachinsky with a crater reaching 350 meters in diameter.
Koryaksky is a regular cone with a height of 3256 meters.
Dzenzursky - almost destroyed.
The old extinct volcano Vilyuchinsky.
Sharp Tolbachik covered with glaciers.
Ksudach is the most unusual volcano in Kamchatka. Has numerous calderas of different ages.