Koryakskaya volcano: description, history. Volcano in Kamchatka

Today, the researchers of Kamchatka have not come to a consensus on the number of volcanoes on this earth. Some believe that there are not more than a hundred, others are sure that there are thousands of them. Such a wide range of estimates can be explained by different approaches to the issue: not all volcanoes in Kamchatka are active, many of them do not show their activity today, and therefore they are considered simply mountains.

Nevertheless, specialists consider the term "active volcano" to be relative. The thing is that the active volcano is considered if there is evidence that it has ever erupted. And it could happen a hundred and a thousand years ago.

Koryakskaya Sopka is a volcano active in Kamchatka, thirty-five kilometers to the north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. He is referred to as stratovolcanoes.

Koryakskaya volcano: where is the volcano?

After many years of observation and research, scientists came to the conclusion that this volcano began to form in antiquity, or rather, in the era of the Upper Pleistocene. At first, on the site of the present volcano, a lava mountain appeared, a height of two and a half kilometers, which in the late Pleistocene acquired a modern cone. It is composed of basaltic-andesite and andesite lavas.

Title History

On modern maps, the name Koryakskaya Sopka is found. But this name was not always the volcano . In the 17th century, the famous researcher of Kamchatka, S. P. Krasheninnikov, in his studies calls the volcano the Turning Hill.

Local residents from the surrounding villages found volcanic glass in these places . It was used in everyday life, in particular, for the manufacture of arrowheads. This can explain why it got its second name from this volcano in Kamchatka.

Much later, in the XIX century, local residents, wandering with deer herds - Koryaks, created a settlement at the foot of the mountain, which they began to call "Koryak". Accordingly, the mountain was named Koryakskaya Sopka. It was fixed and preserved to our days.

Koryakskaya volcano: description

The volcano is a part of the Koryak-Avacha system and is located in the Eastern ridge. Outwardly it is a ribbed regular cone shape. On a clear sunny day majestic looks Koryakskaya Sopka, whose height reaches 3,456 meters.

What is remarkable about the hillock?

Features of this giant are a large circus with a diameter of more than five hundred meters on the eastern and northern slopes, from which two huge glaciers and a cut top descend on the flanks. In its type, the volcano refers to stratovolcanoes. Its cone is composed of basalt and andesite structures, as well as ash and lava.

It should be noted that the mountain has a fairly large angle of inclination - up to twenty degrees at the bottom and up to thirty-five degrees at the top. Kamchatka volcano has slopes, densely indented, expanding to the bottom of furrows, which washed away the running water. They are clearly visible, even filled with snow and ice.

Crater

The modern crater of the volcano is in the western part of the summit. Its diameter is two hundred meters. Past eruptions of its edge are slightly destroyed. Another ancient crater is located on the northern side of the summit, where the circus is preserved, more than a hundred meters in depth and five hundred meters in diameter. Now it is occupied by a glacier.

The entire northern slope of the volcano is covered by snowfields and glaciers. They stretched to the foot of four kilometers. And the lower slopes of the hill are covered with dense forests, consisting of stone birch and cedar stlanica. Until now, this volcano in Kamchatka is operational, although its dimensions do not quite match the intensity of the eruptions.

Protected areas

Kamchatka volcano Koryaksky is located in specially protected areas:

• The natural park "Nalychevo", in 1996, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List;
• The state reserve (biological) "Three volcanoes", created in 1994 to protect the black-capped marmot, snow sheep, ground squirrel and to forbidden for hunting species of animals and birds.

Volcanic activity

The volcano Koryakskaya Sopka has not been studied well enough. Nevertheless, scientists managed to find out that over the past seven thousand years there were seven eruptions on the summit - in 5050, 1950 and 1550 BC, and in 1890, 1926 and 1956. The latest activity was recorded in 2008. Local residents observed a powerful emission of smoke and ash on the western slope. As a result, the ash plume stretched more than 100 km.

The eruption of 1926 was calm. There were no explosions, from the crater lava flowed quite calmly. The second eruption, which began in 1956, was much more active. Experts say that it was explosive in nature. From the gap formed, which was about five hundred meters long, and a width of about fifteen meters, a column of ash and gas rose up to a height of one thousand seven hundred meters. No outpourings of lava were recorded.

Again, surprised the local residents of Koryakskaya Sopka in 2008. A new release of gases and ash created a plume that stretched for tens of kilometers. But the eruption after this did not follow. Despite the fact that the volcano is rarely active, it is included in the list of volcanoes of the decade. Since 1996, it has entered the list of sixteen peaks that are studied by the UN Commission (IAVCEI). They are considered the most dangerous because of their proximity to settlements.

Local residents perceive the activity of the volcano quite calmly, they call it simply "Koryak", and when it smokes - they say that the hill is smoking. Snowboarders have long noted melting glaciers that are on the ridge, which only confirms its activity. From the hills, the famous Paratunsky warm springs begin.

Koryakskaya volcano: the ascent

Now the volcano is at rest. On its slopes there are three outlets of fumarolic gases, which in different years the temperature rises to +273 ° C. Koryaksky volcano is popular among experienced climbers. Quite steep slopes of the mountain make the climb quite difficult, requiring some training and skill. Unfortunately, several inexperienced conquerors of mountain peaks died here, who overestimated their strength.

As a rule, the Koryaksky volcano, which is a local landmark, because of steep slopes, deep barranques do not disturb ordinary tourists, and? Fortunately, it does not organize the ascent of the mass, as, for example, on the neighboring Avachinsky summit.

The first conquerors of the volcano

It is believed that the first to conquer the summit of the Koryak volcano naturalist and physician of the Russian ship "Alexander" - F. V. Stein. This ascent took place at the end of September 1821. According to the surviving documents, it is known that in the XX century the first to climb this volcano in 1934, led by a journalist from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Steblich.

Four years later the first woman conquered the summit - Polina Sushkova. Seven years later, this brave woman almost fell under the eruption of Avachinsky volcano, which occurred in February 1945.

The volcano is only thirty kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. To its peak are different in the category of complexity routes - from 1B to 3A. Experienced climbers believe that technically climbing is not too difficult. However, it is characterized by high physical loads due to the height difference.

The beginning of the ascent is conducted from the base camp, from which the athletes are sent to the route. It is located at an altitude of nine hundred meters. Climb to the top can be accomplished in one or two days. A longer route is preferable, however, it also has its disadvantages. First of all, it concerns the need to raise to a height of more than two thousand meters sleeping bags, a tent, a burner, food and water.

Climbing for one day, takes no more than eleven to twelve hours. Descent occurs faster, in about four to five hours. The best time to climb the Koryak volcano climbers consider the period from mid-April to the end of June. At this time there are no more severe frosts, and all roughnesses of the relief and loose rock are still covered with a snow blanket.

In addition, at this time, it is convenient to descend from the volcano on snowboards or skis. Climbing can be done by people who have initial skills in mountaineering - to be able to walk in a bunch, to use an ice ax and cats. Very important and good physical shape. Experienced climbers recommend that beginners first try their hand at Avachinsky volcano, whose height is 2751 meters.

On the route athletes are sent from the same base camp. For beginners Avachinsky volcano is a certain test and a good training, before a more serious ascent.

Do not forget about special equipment, without which in the mountains can not do. Here is an indicative list of necessary things:

• sleeping bag;
• tent;
• Cats and an ice ax;
• Warm gloves;
• Lightweight down jacket;
• Face mask (for protection from wind);
• Light gloves;
• Thermal underwear;
• Pants made of membrane fabric;
• Thermosetting;
• Mountaineering shoes;
• Snowboard or ski equipment (when planning to descend from a volcano),
• Thermos (1 liter);
• Sunglasses;
• Tracking sticks;
• sunscreen.

How to get there?

With Russian cities, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky connects air and sea communication. Elizovo Airport, which serves the city, is international. From it regular flights to many Russian cities are made: (Vladivostok, Moscow, Khabarovsk, St. Petersburg, Magadan, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk and others). In addition, domestic flights to Ust-Kamchatsk, Ozernovskiy, Palana, Nikolskoe (Commander Islands), Ossoru are performed. From the suburbs of Mokhovaya, Avacha, Nagorny, Dolynovka to the volcano can be reached by regular buses.

According to the reviews of all who have seen Koryaksky hill, are delighted with the extraordinary natural beauty and power. The volcano makes a huge impression even on those tourists who do not climb, so if you have the opportunity to visit Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, be sure to visit the hill.