🌋VolcanoAtlas

Avachinsky

Kamchatka's Gateway Volcano — Towering Over Petropavlovsk

Elevation

2,717 m

Last Eruption

2001

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

Russia

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskLow
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity25 years agoRecentRecently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Watch
Dormant but monitored. Capable of renewed activity.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

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Kamchatka Peninsula
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via Unsplash

a large snow covered mountain in the middle of the day

SnapSaga

via Unsplash

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Mariya Tereshkova

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Interesting Facts

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Avachinsky has produced at least five VEI 5 eruptions over the past 8,000 years — each one powerful enough to generate an eruption column exceeding 20 km in height.

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A catastrophic debris avalanche from Avachinsky between 30,000 and 40,000 years ago buried 500 km² of terrain — the deposits literally underlie parts of modern-day Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

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Yelizovo Airport, the main air gateway to Kamchatka, lies just 25 km from Avachinsky's summit, making it one of the most volcanically exposed major airports in the world.

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The volcano's summit fumaroles have been measured at temperatures exceeding 700°C, confirming that magma remains at shallow depth beneath the crater.

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Avachinsky and its neighbor Koryaksky together form one of the most photographed volcanic skylines in Russia, visible from virtually everywhere in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

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The volcano is part of the UNESCO 'Volcanoes of Kamchatka' World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1996 as one of the most outstanding concentrations of active volcanism on Earth.

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Avachinsky's southwestern collapse scarp — created by a massive landslide tens of thousands of years ago — still channels volcanic hazards preferentially toward the city.

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Despite hosting more than 30 active volcanoes, Kamchatka's total population is only about 310,000, making the volcano-to-person ratio one of the highest in the world.

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The 1991 eruption ended 46 years of silence, the longest historical repose period for Avachinsky in the past three centuries.

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Russian explorers first documented Avachinsky during Vitus Bering's expeditions to Kamchatka in the early 18th century.

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Avachinsky is locally called the 'home volcano' (домашний вулкан) of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, analogous to how the Japanese view Mount Fuji.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Avachinsky still active?
Yes, Avachinsky is classified as an active stratovolcano. It last erupted in January 2001, producing a brief VEI 1 event with a modest ash plume. Volcanologists define 'active' as having erupted within the Holocene (the past 11,700 years), and Avachinsky far exceeds that threshold with 58 recorded eruptions. High-temperature fumaroles exceeding 700°C in the summit crater confirm that magma remains at shallow depth. The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) monitors the volcano continuously, and scientists consider a future eruption to be certain — the only questions are when and how large.
When did Avachinsky last erupt?
Avachinsky's most recent eruption occurred in January 2001. It was a relatively minor event, rated VEI 1 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index, producing a small ash plume and limited ashfall in the surrounding area. The eruption lasted only a short period and caused no casualties or significant damage. Prior to this, the volcano had erupted in 1991 (VEI 2) after a 46-year repose. While the two most recent eruptions have been small, Avachinsky's history includes much more powerful events, including VEI 4 eruptions in 1827, 1926, and 1945.
Could Avachinsky erupt again?
A future eruption of Avachinsky is considered certain by volcanologists. The volcano has averaged roughly one eruption per decade over the past three centuries, and the current quiet period since 2001 does not indicate that activity has ceased. Persistent high-temperature fumaroles and periodic seismic swarms confirm ongoing magmatic activity at depth. The scale of the next eruption is uncertain — it could range from a minor VEI 1 event similar to 2001, to a dangerous VEI 4 explosive eruption like those in 1827, 1926, and 1945. Scientists cannot currently predict the timing with precision.
How tall is Avachinsky?
Avachinsky rises to 2,717 m (8,914 ft) above sea level, making it a prominent but not dominant peak in Kamchatka's volcanic landscape. Its neighbor Koryaksky is taller at 3,456 m (11,339 ft), and Klyuchevskoy — the tallest active volcano in Eurasia — reaches 4,754 m (15,597 ft) further north on the peninsula. Avachinsky's summit elevation has fluctuated throughout its history as eruptions alternately build up and destroy the summit cone. The volcano's base spans approximately 16 km in diameter.
How far is Avachinsky from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky?
Avachinsky's summit lies approximately 30 km (19 mi) southwest of the center of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka's largest city with a population of roughly 180,000. Yelizovo Airport, the region's main air hub, is even closer at about 25 km. The volcano is clearly visible from virtually every part of the city on clear days, forming an imposing presence on the southwestern skyline alongside neighboring Koryaksky. This proximity makes Petropavlovsk one of the most volcanically exposed cities in Russia.
What type of volcano is Avachinsky?
Avachinsky is a stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano. This means it is constructed from alternating layers of lava flows, pyroclastic deposits (volcanic ash, pumice, and rock fragments), and volcanic debris accumulated over thousands of eruptions. Stratovolcanoes are typically steep-sided, conical in shape, and capable of highly explosive eruptions — particularly when their magma is rich in silica and dissolved gases, as is the case with Avachinsky's andesite and basaltic andesite compositions. Avachinsky shares this classification with some of the world's most famous volcanoes, including Mount Fuji, Mount Vesuvius, and Mount Rainier.
Can you climb Avachinsky?
Yes, Avachinsky is the most popular volcano to climb on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The standard route starts from a base camp at approximately 900 m elevation, reachable by off-road vehicle from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (2.5–3 hours). The ascent to the 2,717 m summit takes 6–8 hours for fit hikers and does not require technical climbing equipment, though crampons and trekking poles are recommended. The climbing season runs from late June to September. Guided tours are available through local operators. Climbers should be aware that the volcano is active and access can be restricted if the alert level is raised.
What are the main hazards from Avachinsky?
The primary hazards from Avachinsky include pyroclastic flows, lahars (volcanic mudflows), heavy ashfall, and volcanic bombs. Pyroclastic flows are the most lethal threat — fast-moving currents of superheated gas and debris that can travel at hundreds of kilometers per hour. The volcano's southwest-facing collapse scarp channels these flows preferentially toward lowland areas. Lahars form when eruptions melt summit snow and ice, sending torrents of volcanic mud down river valleys. Ashfall from a major eruption could deposit several centimeters of tephra on Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and severely disrupt aviation at nearby Yelizovo Airport.