Kronotskaya Sopka is a layered volcano located on the eastern coast of Kamchatka near the lake of the same name. It is believed that the volcano got its name from the Itelmen language, namely from the words “kranak”, “kranvan”, “uach”, which make up the phrase “high mountain of stone”. But these are only hypotheses, disputes are still ongoing about the origin of its name.
Kronotskaya Sopka - active or extinct volcano?
The volcano is considered active, despite the fact that its activity has significantly decreased. The last strong activity of the volcano was seen in 1942. Its attempts at eruption were characterized by the release of ash. The volcano is considered relatively young. Its maximum activity was several millennia ago.
In modern days, Kronotskaya Sopka occasionally gives noticeable "signs of life" in the form of fumarolic activity, which looks like the release of gases and vapors at the top. Although the volcano has not erupted for a long time, scientists believe that it will not die out soon.
What it looks likethis layered volcano?
Kronotskaya Sopka is a volcano that has the shape of a regular cone. It is cut by barrancos. This is the name of the slopes that cut through the volcanic cones and diverge radially from the crater itself to the base of the volcano. Their formation is due to the eroding action of water that flows down the slopes.
In the case of the Kronotskaya Sopka, barrancos become noticeable at about two and a half thousand meters, and somewhere at a height of one kilometer, their depth is two hundred meters. The bottom of the barrancos is covered with snow.
Kronotskaya Sopka has a base with a diameter of sixteen thousand meters. The volume is about one hundred and twenty cubic kilometers. The absolute height of the Kronotsky volcano reaches three thousand five hundred twenty-eight meters. The top of the majestic volcano is framed by a permanent glacier. At the top of the hill is a star-shaped crater filled with neck and glacier.
The eastern slopes of the Kronotskaya Sopka reach the Pacific coast, while the western slopes reach the largest freshwater lake of the same name in Kamchatka.
The slopes in the south and west are crossed by strong barrancos, and in the north and east the slopes are covered with a shell of eternal ice.
There are other secondary craters on the southern slope, including seven cinder cones and three craters. Fumarolic activity is noticeable in this place.
In the lower parts of the slopes cedar and birch forests grow.
Kronotsky Lake
The western coast of the Kronotskaya Sopka touches this lake, which was formed due tostrong eruptions of Krasheninnikov and Kronotsky volcanoes. Lava flows emanating from the vents of volcanoes were able to block the riverbed in the mountain. This so-called dam helped form Kronotskoye Lake, from which the river of the same name flows. The bed of the Kronotskaya river is blocked by rapids. Although they hinder the progress of salmon during spawning, every year, some fish species still make it safely to the lake.
Kronotskoye Lake is the center of the natural complex, which is surrounded by mysterious and delightful nature. Many relict trees grow here, for example, such as Ayan firs.
Volcano trips
Many tourists who love natural and unusual nature go to Kamchatka every year to see live the majestic volcano called Kronotskaya Sopka.
But after tourists visit this amazing place at least once, they will want to return. The Kronotsky Nature Reserve has existed since 1934. Here, the Valley of Geysers, popularly called the "Valley of Death", is especially popular. It received such an ominous name due to the fact that many animals died here from exposure to hydrogen sulfide. The region is home to many wildlife species such as wolverines, lynxes, sables and elk.
Musk oxen were also brought to the reserve, which successfully settled down in a new place.
Kronotsky Nature Reserve - a place where reindeer that livefree.
Kamchatka is a territory of beautiful nature, where such wonders as the Kronotsky Reserve, the lake and river of the same name, as well as the Kronotskaya Sopka volcano, meet. The photo will not be able to convey the beauty of these places.
