Smithsonian Institution
Global Volcanism Network Bulletin v. 19, no. 12, December 1994

Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka)  Small eruption in mid-January

Kliuchevskoi
Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia (56.06N, 160.64E)
All times are local (= GMT - 12 hours)

During the week of 8-14 December, 3-14 shallow earthquakes/day and
1.5-8.0 hours/day of volcanic tremor were recorded, down from the
previous week. A snow storm prevented visual observations. No
information was available for the rest of December because of the
suspension of KVERT communications (see Bulletin v. 19, no. 11).

While in Petropavlovsk in mid-January 1995, Tom Miller (AVO)
reported a small eruption that occurred sometime between 0630 and
1830 on 14 January. Weather in the area was poor, but an ash cloud
was observed at about 9 km altitude. Seismic data indicated a
single eruptive burst and not a continuous eruption. Satellite
imagery showed weather clouds cover the area. However, at 0857 on
14 January a short, narrow plume, ~35 km long, was very evident on
satellite imagery blowing NE. The apex of this plume appeared to
start at the SE flank of the volcano, but at 1 km resolution this
is uncertian. A band 4 minus band 5 image showed a distinct plume.

Kliuchevskoi has erupted >80 times since 1697, including a large
summit eruption in January 1990 (see Bulletin v. 15, no. 3).
Several small ash emissions were reported in 1991-92. The current
activity began in mid-March 1993; gas-and-steam plumes (frequently
with ash), tremor, and shallow earthquakes have persisted since
then (see Bulletin v. 18, nos. 4-8 & 10-12, and v. 19, nos. 1, 3-4,
6, & 8-11).

Information Contacts: Same as for Sheveluch.