Welcome

Karymsky Volcano, located on the remote Kamchatka peninsula of eastern Russia, was historically and is currently an extremely active volcano.  Despite the remoteness of the volcano, eruption of ash and tephra can have a significant effect on air travel between Asia and North America.  This blog is designed to familiarize readers with the geologic background, historical eruptions, current activity and associated hazards of Karymsky Volcano.

Karymsky Volcano in July, 2008.  The volcano frequently erupts ash plumes 3-5 km into the atmosphere.  An aircraft can be seen above the volcano high in the atmosphere.  Drifting ash plumes are a major hazard to flying jet aircraft (Photo courtesy of Pavel Izbekov - UAF).

The information contained in this blog largely comes from the Smithsonian Institute Global Volcanism Program (link to their website is on the right side of this page) and from recent publications on the activity and deposits of Karymsky volcano (see "Bibliography").

Some other important websites that may be of interest are also linked on the right side of this page.