Not far from the regional center of the Kamchatka Territory rises this fiery mountain called Avachinskaya Sopka. It is clearly visible from the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It got its name thanks to the Avacha River, which flows near the foot.
General characteristics
Avachinskaya Sopka (Volcano Avachinsky) is one of the active volcanoes in Kamchatka. Cone-shaped, the height is 2741 meters above sea level. Belongs to the Somma-Vesuvius type. This is a classic type, they are also called double, since a young cone is built into an older one. The diameter of the Avachinsky volcano crater is about 400 meters. The height of the eastern part of the base of the volcano reaches 2300 meters.
Geographic coordinates: 53, 15 north latitude, 158, 51 east longitude. Avachinskaya Sopka on the map is located closer to the Pacific coast and not far from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
The upper part of the volcano is covered by a glacier. Ice and firn gradually slide down to the foot. Creeping cedar and stone birches grow on the slopes. At the foot is the station of volcanologists of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where they studyactive volcanoes of Kamchatka.
Volcano Formation
The structures of the Avachinsky volcano were formed gradually, over a long period of time. Its formation took 30 thousand years. This process began in the Pleistocene. About 11 thousand years ago there was a powerful explosion that formed the somma of the hill. During this catastrophic eruption in the vicinity of the Avachinsky volcano, about 12 cubic kilometers of volcanic rocks were ejected.
The diameter of the formed somma exceeded 4 kilometers.
In the future, periods of rest were replaced by subsequent eruptions that formed the body of the volcano. The modern Avachinsky cone began to grow about 5 millennia ago.
20th century eruptions
Avachinskaya Sopka is an active volcano, and 6 eruptions were recorded in the last century. The penultimate awakening took place in 1945. The ash column then rose to a height of about 8 kilometers, then rushing down the slopes and evaporating the lying snow. The ash cloud was dotted with numerous sparkling lightning. Then volcanic bombs flew that reached kilometer heights.
The rumble of the eruption reached Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where at that time the earth trembled and dishes and glasses rattled. The layer of ash in some places reached half a meter, roads were covered, a lot of vegetation died. There were also casu alties.
On January 13, 1991, the last volcanic eruption took place. And this is 46 years later.hibernation. There were two fairly large explosions in the process, and the lava flow that rose upward first filled the crater, and then overflowed over the edge to the southern part of the cone.
The current state of the volcano
The somma (base) of Avachinsky is composed of bas alt and andesite rocks, and the cone is composed of only bas alt.
If before the last awakening the crater looked like a bowl, then as a result of the eruption that occurred in 1991, the mouth of the Avachinskaya Sopka volcano is now sealed with a lava plug. According to volcanologists, this means that the next eruption will be accompanied by a powerful explosion.
The cork contains fumaroles, which periodically emit hot vapors and gases. The lava field is constantly floating, at the top there is a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide. You can stumble upon pieces of crystalline sulfur. Due to internal heating, the cork gradually sags, so moving through the lava field without the support of volcanologists is a serious danger.
Tourism object
The first historically recorded ascent of the hill was made on July 14, 1824 by a group of travelers in the following composition: G. Siwald, E. Hoffmann, E. Lenz. Three researchers managed not only to climb the Avachinskaya Sopka volcano, but also to take rock samples for study.
At present, every year several thousand tourists follow the path of explorers, discovering the Avachinsky volcano. The special popularity of Avachinsky among other, no less picturesque volcanoes of Kamchatka, is explained by itsaccessibility.
Besides the fact that Avachinskaya Sopka is close in location to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (less than 30 kilometers), climbing to the top does not require any climbing equipment or special training. A path has been laid from the foot to the top of the mountain, the path along which the average traveler overcomes in 6-8 hours. In addition, before climbing the hill there is a special shelter ("Avachinsky"). Travel to the top of the mountain takes place during the period April-December (the best time is July-August) along the northwestern part of the cone.
Safety
Despite the relatively easy nature of climbing Avachinsky Hill (a marked trail equipped with rope railings in the most difficult sections), one should not neglect simple safety rules, as this can lead unwary tourists to death.
Avachinsky volcano in its history of ascents also has cases of deaths. Such an incident occurred on June 20, 1968. On that day, conditions were extremely unfavorable for the ascent. A strong wind was blowing, the top of the mountain was obscured by a cloud. Despite this, unfamiliar with the route scheme, two Leningrad tourists began the ascent. The slope is heavily iced over. Although the travelers took ice axes with them, they did not manage to stay on the cone of the volcano. Their severely damaged and frozen bodies were found only two days later at the foot of the hill.
