🌋VolcanoAtlas

Mutnovsky

Kamchatka's Geothermal Powerhouse

Elevation

2,288 m

Last Eruption

2000

Type

Complex volcano

Country

Russia

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Lava flows and fountaining
  • Volcanic gas emissions
  • Local explosive activity

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 Activity26 years agoRecentRecently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Watch
Dormant but monitored. Capable of renewed activity.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

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Interesting Facts

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Mutnovsky is composed of four coalescing stratovolcanoes (Mutnovsky I-IV), with the youngest cone beginning growth in the early Holocene.

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The Mutnovsky Geothermal Power Plant harnesses the volcano's heat to generate over 50 MW of electricity for Kamchatka's power grid.

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Fumarole temperatures in Mutnovsky's active crater regularly exceed 600°C, among the hottest surface volcanic temperatures measured anywhere on Earth.

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The 1904 eruption is the only historical event at Mutnovsky to have produced lava flows; all other recent eruptions have been phreatic (steam-driven).

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Mutnovsky is part of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 1996.

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The name 'Mutnovsky' comes from the Russian word for 'murky,' referencing the turbid, mineral-laden streams that drain the volcano's hydrothermal areas.

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Ice caves formed by volcanic heat melting through glacial ice on the crater walls are one of Mutnovsky's most spectacular features for visitors.

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The Smithsonian GVP records 45 eruptions for Mutnovsky, making it one of the most frequently active volcanoes in southern Kamchatka.

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Mutnovsky lies beneath major North Pacific aviation routes between North America and Asia, making its eruptions a potential aviation hazard.

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The acid crater lake in the active northern crater changes color from turquoise to muddy gray depending on geochemical conditions.

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Kamchatka hosts over 30 active volcanoes, and Mutnovsky's accessible crater provides one of the best opportunities to experience active volcanism up close.

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The 2000 eruption occurred just after the Mutnovsky Geothermal Power Plant was commissioned, raising questions about co-locating infrastructure with active volcanoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mutnovsky volcano still active?
Yes, Mutnovsky is classified as an active volcano. While the last eruption (phreatic explosions) occurred in March-June 2000, the volcano maintains intense fumarolic activity with temperatures exceeding 600°C, an acid crater lake, and continuous volcanic gas emissions. These indicators confirm an active magmatic heat source beneath the summit. The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) monitors Mutnovsky continuously and issues aviation color codes when activity changes. The volcano has produced 45 recorded eruptions over the past ~10,000 years, and future eruptions are considered certain.
Can you visit Mutnovsky volcano?
Yes, Mutnovsky is one of the most popular volcano trekking destinations in Kamchatka, accessible during the summer months (July-September). The standard approach from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky involves a rough 4WD track to a base camp area, followed by a 3-5 hour hike into the active crater. Visitors can experience roaring fumaroles, sulfur deposits, ice caves, and views of the acid crater lake. Tour operators in Petropavlovsk offer organized multi-day excursions, often combined with nearby Gorely volcano. Safety precautions are essential due to toxic gas zones and unstable ground. Independent travel requires experience and preparation.
What is the Mutnovsky Geothermal Power Plant?
The Mutnovsky Geothermal Power Plant is one of Russia's largest geothermal energy facilities, located on the northeastern flank of the volcano at approximately 800 m elevation. Commissioned in stages from 1999 onward, the plant has a generating capacity exceeding 50 MW, supplying electricity to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and surrounding areas by converting volcanic geothermal heat into electricity. The plant taps steam and hot water from wells drilled into the volcano's hydrothermal system. The co-location of an industrial facility with an active volcano has been the subject of scientific discussion, particularly after the 2000 phreatic eruption.
How tall is Mutnovsky?
Mutnovsky's highest point reaches 2,288 m (7,507 ft) above sea level. The volcanic massif is broad and imposing rather than a single sharp peak, as it is composed of four coalescing stratovolcanoes (Mutnovsky I-IV) that together form a complex summit area approximately 1.5-2 km across. For comparison, nearby Gorely stands at 1,829 m, while Kamchatka's tallest active volcano, Klyuchevskoy, reaches 4,754 m.
What type of volcano is Mutnovsky?
Mutnovsky is classified as a complex volcano, meaning it consists of multiple overlapping volcanic centers rather than a single cone. Specifically, four coalescing stratovolcanoes (Mutnovsky I through IV) have been built at this location over time. The dominant rock type is basalt to picro-basalt, which is unusually primitive for a subduction-zone volcano. The summit area hosts multiple craters, an active fumarole field, and an acid lake. Abundant flank cinder cones, concentrated on the southwest side, indicate frequent magma migration along radial fractures.
Why is Mutnovsky so geothermally active?
Mutnovsky's intense geothermal activity results from a shallow magmatic heat source interacting with abundant groundwater in the porous volcanic edifice. The subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath Kamchatka provides a sustained supply of heat from below, while snowmelt, rainfall, and glacier melt supply water from above. This combination creates a vigorous hydrothermal system where water is heated to extreme temperatures (fumaroles exceeding 600°C) and rises through fractures to the surface as steam vents, hot springs, and acid lakes. This same geothermal energy is harnessed by the Mutnovsky Geothermal Power Plant.
When did Mutnovsky last erupt?
Mutnovsky last erupted in 2000, with two phreatic (steam-driven) explosive events in March (VEI 2) and June (VEI 1). These eruptions ejected rock fragments, mud, and volcanic gas from the north crater but did not involve fresh magma reaching the surface. Prior to 2000, the volcano experienced eruptions in 1945 (VEI 2), 1939 (VEI 2), and a cluster of activity in the early 20th century. The most recent eruption coincided with the early operational phase of the geothermal power plant, prompting review of volcanic hazard assessments for the facility.
Is Mutnovsky part of the Ring of Fire?
Yes, Mutnovsky is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, specifically located along the Kuril-Kamchatka volcanic arc on the western margin of the Pacific Ocean. This arc is generated by the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the North American (or Okhotsk) Plate at rates of approximately 7-8 cm per year. Kamchatka contains one of the densest concentrations of active volcanoes on Earth, with over 30 active volcanoes along the peninsula. Mutnovsky sits on the southern segment of this arc, alongside neighbors Gorely, Avachinsky, and Koryaksky.