The first quantitative estimates of parameters for the Tolbachik Fissure Eruption of 2012–2013 from aerophotogrammetric observations

Abstract

This paper presents quantitative estimates of parameters for the Tolbachik Fissure Eruption of 2012–2013 (TFE) for the period between November 27, 2012 and June 5, 2013. It is shown that the eruption was the most violent during the first 2 days (with a mean lava discharge rate of 440 m3/s), when the maximum number of lava vents were active along the entire fissured zone. The rate was decreasing during the subsequent 2 weeks (the mean was 140 m3/s). Lava effusion had been occurring at an almost uniform rate at near 18 m3/s from the later half of December 2012 to June 2013. The eruption was predominantly effusive in character. Six months of activity yielded 0.52 km3 lava to cover an area of 35.23 km2. The volume of pyroclastics within 1.5 km of the new fissured zone did not exceed 0.1 km3. We made maps to show the location of the fissured zone, the main vents, and lava flows on the slope of Ploskii Tolbachik Volcano. It was found that the 1975–1976 collapse pit in the smaller summit caldera of Ploskii Tolbachik has been left nearly intact during the Tolbachik Fissure Eruption of 2012–2013.