Chirpoi
Caldera in Russia
Key Facts
Elevation
742 m (2,434 ft)
Type
Caldera
Location
46.532°, 150.871°
Region
Kuril Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Chirpoi, a small island lying between the larger islands of Simushir and Urup, contains a half dozen volcanic edifices constructed within an 8-9 km wide, partially submerged caldera. The southern rim of the caldera is exposed on nearby Brat Chirpoev Island. The symmetrical Cherny volcano, which forms the central cone of the island, erupted twice during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The youngest volcano, Snow, originated between 1770 and 1810. It is composed almost entirely of lava flows, many of which have reached the sea on the southern coast. No recorded eruptions are known from Brat Chirpoev, but its youthful morphology suggests recent Strombolian activity.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows and surges
- Large explosive eruptions (VEI 4+)
- Ash fall and tephra deposits
- Lahars and debris flows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 10 years ago | Recent | Recently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 290150
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Chirpoi Island contains multiple volcanic edifices constructed within an 8-9 km wide, partially submerged caldera. This view from the east shows the Snow cone (left), Cherny (center), and the eroded Chirpoi to the right. Cherny erupted twice during the 18th and 19th centuries and Snow erupted between 1770 and 1810. It is composed almost entirely of lava flows, some of which form the shoreline in the foreground.
Photo by Oleg Volynets (Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.