🌋VolcanoAtlas

Karymsky

Kamchatka's Most Restless Volcano — Nearly Three Decades of Continuous Eruption

Elevation

1,513 m

Last Eruption

2025

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

Russia

Location

Loading map...

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

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

Risk Level

Population at RiskLow
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity1 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

Related Volcanoes

All Russia Volcanoes
Explore by country
Stratovolcano Volcanoes
By volcano type
Kamchatka Peninsula
Regional volcanoes

Other Volcanoes in Russia

Interesting Facts

🌋

Karymsky's caldera-forming eruption around 6600 BCE was rated VEI 6 — the same magnitude as the devastating 1883 eruption of Krakatau.

🌋

The volcano has been in a state of nearly continuous eruption since January 1, 1996 — approaching three decades of unbroken eruptive behavior.

🌋

In January 1996, Karymsky and the adjacent Akademia Nauk caldera erupted simultaneously — a rare example of twin eruptions sharing a common deep magma source.

🌋

Karymsky has the highest eruption frequency of any volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula, with 53 recorded eruptions over ~8,600 years.

🌋

KVERT has issued hundreds of aviation color code warnings for Karymsky since 1996, making it one of the most frequently cited volcanoes in aviation volcanic ash advisories.

🌋

The modern Karymsky cone was built entirely within the past ~5,300 years, growing within the caldera left by the ~6600 BCE eruption.

🌋

Most lava flows visible on Karymsky's flanks are less than 200 years old, reflecting the extraordinary eruptive output in recent centuries.

🌋

The 1996 underwater eruption in Karymsky Lake (Akademia Nauk caldera) generated waves up to 1 m high on the lake surface and ejected columns of water and steam.

🌋

Karymsky is accessible only by helicopter or overland expedition — there are no roads within 100 km of the volcano.

🌋

Despite being Kamchatka's most active volcano, Karymsky stands at only 1,513 m — far shorter than neighbors like Klyuchevskoy (4,754 m) or Koryaksky (3,456 m).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Karymsky still erupting?
Yes, Karymsky has been in a state of nearly continuous eruption since January 1, 1996, with the most recent confirmed activity in 2025. The volcano produces frequent Vulcanian explosions from its summit crater, generating ash plumes that typically reach 3–8 km above sea level. KVERT (Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team) monitors the volcano continuously via satellite and seismic networks. While the intensity fluctuates — sometimes declining to low-level fumarolic activity before surging back to explosive eruptions — Karymsky has not experienced a sustained pause in nearly three decades.
Where is Karymsky located?
Karymsky is located in the Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East, at coordinates 54.049°N, 159.443°E. It sits approximately 125 km northeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the regional capital. The volcano is in a remote, uninhabited part of the peninsula, surrounded by wilderness with no road access. It can only be reached by helicopter or by challenging overland travel. Despite its remoteness, Karymsky is significant because it lies beneath major trans-Pacific air routes.
How dangerous is Karymsky?
Karymsky poses minimal risk to human populations on the ground because it is located in an uninhabited area with no settlements within its direct hazard zone. However, it represents a significant and persistent aviation hazard. The volcano's frequent ash plumes can reach altitudes of 3–8 km, well within commercial aircraft cruising levels. Volcanic ash can cause catastrophic jet engine failure, and Karymsky's near-continuous activity has generated hundreds of aviation warnings since 1996. The caldera-forming VEI 6 eruption of ~6600 BCE demonstrates that the volcanic system is capable of far larger events, though such eruptions are extremely rare.
What type of eruptions does Karymsky produce?
Karymsky's historical eruptions are characteristically Vulcanian or Vulcanian-Strombolian in style. Vulcanian eruptions involve short, violent explosions that eject blocks, bombs, and dense ash clouds from the summit crater. These explosions can occur every few minutes to every few hours during active phases. The eruptions are driven by the interaction between rising andesitic magma and a solidified or partially solidified cap of cooled lava in the conduit. Occasional Strombolian-style activity involves fountaining of incandescent lava fragments. Lava flows have been produced during some eruptions but tend to be short and confined to the upper flanks.
What is Karymsky's largest eruption?
Karymsky's largest known eruption was the caldera-forming event of approximately 6600 BCE, rated VEI 6 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. This cataclysmic eruption created the 5 km-wide caldera that now encloses the modern cone. It ejected an estimated 10+ km³ of material, producing massive pyroclastic flows that devastated the surrounding landscape. By comparison, the largest historical eruptions have reached only VEI 3, which is thousands of times less powerful. The ~6600 BCE event demonstrates a dramatic contrast between Karymsky's current moderate behavior and its demonstrated maximum capability.
What happened in the 1996 twin eruption?
On January 1, 1996, Karymsky and the adjacent Akademia Nauk caldera erupted simultaneously — a rare and scientifically significant event. A major earthquake swarm beneath Akademia Nauk caldera preceded the eruptions by several hours. Karymsky began explosive activity from its summit crater, while an underwater eruption occurred beneath Karymsky Lake in the Akademia Nauk caldera, producing columns of water, steam, and volcanic debris. Waves up to 1 m high formed on the lake. The simultaneous eruptions confirmed that both volcanic systems share a deep magmatic connection, with rising magma from a common source triggering activity at both sites.
Can you visit Karymsky?
Visiting Karymsky requires an expedition-level journey. The volcano is inaccessible by road and lies approximately 125 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky through roadless wilderness. The primary access is by chartered helicopter, which can be arranged through tour operators in Petropavlovsk. These trips are expensive, typically costing several thousand dollars per person, and are weather-dependent. Because the volcano is actively erupting, approaching the summit is extremely dangerous and generally restricted to volcanologists. Helicopter flyovers offer dramatic aerial views of the erupting crater.
How does Karymsky compare to Klyuchevskoy?
Karymsky and Klyuchevskoy are both among Kamchatka's most active volcanoes but differ significantly. Klyuchevskoy is the tallest active volcano in Eurasia at 4,754 m, compared to Karymsky's modest 1,513 m. Klyuchevskoy has 113 recorded eruptions versus Karymsky's 53, but Karymsky has been more continuously active since 1996. Klyuchevskoy produces larger lava flows and more powerful individual eruptions, while Karymsky's activity is characterized by frequent, moderate Vulcanian explosions. Both are stratovolcanoes built by Pacific Plate subduction, and both represent top-tier aviation hazards in the northwestern Pacific.