Fuss Peak

Stratovolcano in Russia

Last Eruption: 1854

Key Facts

Elevation

1,742 m (5,715 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

50.267°, 155.246°

Region

Kuril Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Fuss Peak forms a peninsula that lies across a low isthmus on the SW coast of Paramushir Island in the northern Kuriles. This isolated symmetrical andesitic stratovolcano has a 700-m-wide, steep-walled crater that is 300 m deep. A deep notch cuts the NW rim of the crater to the level of the crater floor, at the head of a canyon that reaches the coast.

Well-preserved lava flows occupy the middle and lower flanks, particularly on the E and SE sides. Only one unambiguous recorded eruption, in 1854 CE, is known; reports of eruptions in 1737, 1793, 1857, and 1859 are false (Gorshkov, 1970). Murayama (1987) also listed an eruption in 1742 (only earthquakes and a tsunami are cited by Sapper, 1917) and "smoke" emission in 1933.

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 Observed

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential
Recent Activity	172 years ago	Historical	Historically 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: 290340
•Evidence: Eruption Observed
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Fuss Peak forms a peninsula on the SW coast of Paramushir Island, the largest of the Kuril Islands. The cone has a 700-m-wide, 300-m-deep crater. A valley extends from a low point in the crater rim down to the coast on the NW flank.

Photo by Yoshihiro Ishizuka, 2000 (Hokkaido University).