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Bakening

Stratovolcano in Russia

Last Eruption: -550

Key Facts

Elevation

2,278 m (7,474 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

53.905°, 158.070°

Region

Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Bakening (also known as Bakenin) lies well west of the eastern volcanic range of Kamchatka, at the head of the Srednyaya Avacha River, about 100 km NNW of Petropavlovsk. Most of the volcano is of Pleistocene age, and subglacial rhyodacitic tuyas are located on the NW flanks. The andesitic stratovolcano has dacitic lava domes at its N and NE base, the latest of which (Novo Bakening) formed about 9,000-10,000 years ago.

A large scarp open to the SE was the source of a large debris avalanche about 8,000-8,500 years ago that traveled 11 km E and S. The avalanche, which dammed drainages forming two lakes NE and E of the volcano, was followed by an explosive eruption and a block-and-ash flow. Several late-Pleistocene to Holocene cinder cones are located on the northern-to-southern flanks.

The latest dated activity consisted of the construction of a cinder cone at the western foot of the volcano about 2,500 years ago.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate
Infrastructure RiskModerate
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Silica Content
Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Holocene
Evidence
Eruption Dated

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity2576 years agoHistoricalHistorically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Normal
No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity
The Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

  • Smithsonian ID: 300123
  • Evidence: Eruption Dated
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Bakening, seen here from the north, is located NW of Petropavlovsk, near the headwaters of the Srednaya Avacha River and well to the west of the eastern volcanic range of Kamchatka. Lava lava domes formed at the base and about 8,500-8,000 years ago the summit collapsed and produced a large debris avalanche to the SE.

Photo by Pavel Kepezhinskas (University of Southern Florida).

Basic Information

This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.