Volcano Live
volcanolive.com
Gorely Volcano | John Seach
Kamchatka, Russia
52.558 N, 158.03 E
summit elevation 1829 m
caldera
Gorely volcano is located in Southern Kamchatka, about 75 km SW of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is the most active volcano in southern Kamchatka.
The volcano structure of Gorely consists of a caldera (13x12 km) with three merged cones and seven superimposed summit craters. The volcano flanks contains about 41 vents and lava flows. Eleven craters are located at the summit and 30 on the slopes. Eruption hazards include ash plumes, ash falls, phreatic explosions and lahars. Explosive activity in 1986 produced a crater which is now filled with a lake.
Andesite-dacitic lavas are exposed on the caldera rim and have a depth of 3-20 m. In the caldera, lava reaches a maximum thickness of 200 m.
2008 Fumarolic activity
On 28th July 2008 there were plates of sulphur on the summit lake surface and intense steaming.
1999 Earthquake Swarm
On 22nd October 1999, a 10-minute series of shallow earthquakes was recorded at Gorely volcano.
1996 Seismicity
An increase in seismicity was recorded at Gorely volcano in 1996. On 19th September more than 20 earthquakes (M <= 1.8) were recorded at the volcano. Seismicity returned to background levels between 23-30 September 1996.
1984-86 Eruptions
Eruptions commenced at Gorely volcano on 27th December 1984 with phreatic explosions ejecting ash to a height of 3.5 km. Eruptions continued until April 1986. The volcano had intense periods of activity at end of December 1984, January 1985, February-March 1985, middle of June-end of July 1985, beginning of August-December 1985.
1980-81 Eruptions
A major phreatic eruption occurred at Gorely volcano during 1980-81. A 1 km high eruption column was observed at the volcano. Explosions and ejection of lithic material occurred in June. A crater glow was observed in July. Eruption products of the 1980-81 eruption covered 500 sq km. During high periods of activity ash fell on the Pacific coast (50-70 km), and the village of Paratunka (30-50 km).
1978-79 Fumarolic Activity
In 1978-79 fumaroles formed in the central crater at Gorely volcano and a lake was formed on the crater floor.
1961 Eruptions
Eruptions occurred from the central vent of Gorely volcano in January and December 1961. The December eruptions released gas to a height of 3 km.
1947 Eruption
The eruption of Gorely volcano in 1947 was from the same vent as 1931.
1931 Eruption
An eruption in May 1931 was explosive from a central vent.
1929-30 Eruption
Eruptions of Gorely volcano in 1829-30 produced periodic strong eruptions which ejected ash and larger fragments of rock. Ash plumes reached the Pacific coast, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and the village of Nachiki 150 km from the volcano.
Further reading
Kuznetsov, Pavel Y., et al. "Structure of volatile conduits beneath Gorely Volcano (Kamchatka) revealed by local earthquake tomography." Geosciences 7.4 (2017): 111.
Gavrilenko, Maxim, et al. "Abrupt transition from fractional crystallization to magma mixing at Gorely volcano (Kamchatka) after caldera collapse." Bulletin of Volcanology 78.7 (2016): 1-28.
Aiuppa, Alessandro, et al. "First volatile inventory for Gorely volcano, Kamchatka." Geophysical Research Letters 39.6 (2012).
Gorely Volcano Eruptions
1984-86, 1980-81, 1961, 1947, 1932?, 1931, 1930-31, 1929-30, 1869, 1855, 1832, 1828, 1821?