Evolution of the crater lake of Maly Semyachik volcano, Kamchatka (1965–2020)

Abstract

Significant variations in temperature, water chemistry and volume of the lake in the crater of Maly Semyachik volcano, Kamchatka, in 1965–2020 can be divided in three main stages. The first stage, until about the mid-1980s, was characterized by intense volcanic-hydrothermal activity, high (above 40 °C) temperature, high salinity (up to 40 g/l) and an increase in the level (and volume) of the lake. During the second stage, which lasted 25–30 years, since the mid-1980s until the mid-2000s, the lake cooled down, until freezing in winter, the mineralization decreased (up to 1.6 g/l), and the volume of the lake remained almost constant. After the mid-2000s until present, there is a period of activation of the Maly Semyachik volcano, which is expressed in an increase in temperature, mineralization and a sharp increase in the volume of the crater lake. The water balance of the lake and the input and composition of the thermal acid chloride solution are estimated based on the analysis of changes in chemical and physical parameters over time, using a box model.