SEISMISITY of the VOLCANIC AREAS of KAMCHATKA in 2016–2017

Abstract

The results of near real-time monitoring of the active Kamchatka volcanoes are described. Continuous monitoring was carried out using three remote methods: 1) seismic monitoring according to automatic telemetric seismic stations; 2) visual and video observation; 3) satellite observation of the thermal anomalies and the ash clouds. Daily information about volcanic activity is published in the Internet (http://www.emsd.ru/~ssl/monitoring/main.htm) since February 2000. The results of seismic activity of the Northern (Shiveluch, Kluchevskoy, Bezymianny, Krestovsky and Ushkovsky), Avacha (Avachinsky and Koryaksky), Mutnovsky-Gorely volcano group and Kizimen volcano for 2016–2017 are presented. Within two years 8152 earthquakes with KS=1.6–8.5 were located for Northern volcano group, 616 earthquakes with KS=1.6–7.2 – for Avacha volcano group, 357 earthquakes with KS=2.0–6.2 – Mutnovsky-Gorely volcano group, 144 earthquakes with KS=2.3–9.4 for Kizimen volcano, 322 earthquakes with KS=1.8–8.1 for Zhupanovsky volcano and 90 earthquakes with KS=5.0–8.6 for Kambalny volcano. Maps of epicenters, quantities of seismic energy and earthquake distribution according to class are given. All periods of activity were fixed and investigated by remote methods in 2016–2017: intensive volcanic activity of Sheveluch volcano associated with new cone, the summit explosive-effusive eruption of Kluchevskoy volcano from April 2016 till September 2017, explosive activity of Zhupanovsky volcano and seismic preparation and volcanic eruption of Kambalny volcano observed for the first time in historical period.