Why in news?
In early August 2025 Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula witnessed an eruption at the Krasheninnikov volcano, a complex stratovolcano that had been dormant for hundreds of years. The event produced ash plumes reaching six kilometres into the sky, prompting an orange aviation alert for the region.
About the volcano
Krasheninnikov is situated on the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula within the Kronotsky Nature Reserve. It is named after the Russian explorer Stepan Krasheninnikov and forms part of the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire. The volcano comprises two overlapping cones within a large caldera formed by a massive eruption approximately 39,000 years ago.
Key characteristics
- Twin cones: The southern cone began forming about 11,000 years ago over a 4,500‑year period, while the northern cone was built later.
- Lava composition: The volcano primarily erupts dacite—a silica‑rich volcanic rock—indicating past explosive activity.
- Elevation: The summit reaches roughly 1,856 metres above sea level.
- Previous activity: Tephrochronology suggests that the last eruption occurred between the mid‑15th and mid‑16th centuries.
About dacite
Dacite is an extrusive igneous rock with high silica content—typically between 63 and 69 per cent—making it viscous and prone to explosive eruptions. It is compositionally intermediate between andesite and rhyolite and commonly forms in subduction‑zone volcanoes where oceanic crust dives beneath continental crust. Dacite often has a fine‑grained or porphyritic texture and serves as a geological marker for volcanic arc processes. Its presence is an important signal in volcanic hazard assessments because dacitic magmas can produce high ash columns and widespread tephra deposits.
Why the eruption matters
The awakening of a long‑dormant volcano reminds us that volcanoes can remain quiescent for centuries and then erupt with little warning. Monitoring remote volcanoes like Krasheninnikov is essential for aviation safety, disaster preparedness and understanding the dynamics of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The eruption also provides scientists with an opportunity to study dacitic magmas and the geological history of Kamchatka.