Sarychev Peak
Stratovolcano in Russia
Key Facts
Elevation
1,496 m (4,908 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
48.092°, 153.200°
Region
Kuril Volcanic Arc
Total Eruptions
20
Max VEI
VEI 4
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
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Eruption Timeline
Most recent confirmed eruption
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Overview
Sarychev Peak, one of the most active volcanoes of the Kuril Islands, occupies the NW end of Matua Island in the central Kuriles. The andesitic central cone was constructed within a 3-3. 5-km-wide caldera, whose rim is exposed only on the SW side.
A dramatic 250-m-wide, very steep-walled crater with a jagged rim caps the volcano. The substantially higher SE rim forms the 1496 m high point of the island. Fresh-looking lava flows, prior to activity in 2009, had descended in all directions, often forming capes along the coast.
Much of the lower-angle outer flanks of the volcano are overlain by pyroclastic-flow deposits. Eruptions have been recorded since the 1760s and include both quiet lava effusion and violent explosions. Large eruptions in 1946 and 2009 produced pyroclastic flows that reached the sea.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | 20 | Moderate | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI 4 | Major | Regional impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 5 years ago | Very Recent | Currently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 290240
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
One of the largest recorded eruptions in the Kuril Islands took place 11-16 June from Sarychev Peak. This NASA Space Shuttle view on 12 June shows an eruption plume that rose to 16-21 km altitude; pyroclastic flows reached the sea and extended the shoreline in some areas. The main explosive phase ended on 16 June, but weak explosions producing ash plumes continued prior to arrival of a field team on 26-28 July, when no eruptive activity was observed.
NASA International Space Station image ISS020-E-9048, 2009 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).
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.