Opala
Caldera in Russia
Key Facts
Elevation
2,439 m (8,002 ft)
Type
Caldera
Location
52.543°, 157.339°
Region
Kuril Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
The steep-sided conical Opala stratovolcano was constructed during the late-Pleistocene to Holocene at the northern end of the 12 x 14 km, 40,000-year-old Opala caldera. The volcano has produced andesitic-dacitic lavas and tephras through most of the Holocene. The latest major explosive eruption formed the prominent Barany Amphitheater on the SE flank about 1,500 years ago, producing a voluminous 9-10 km3 regional rhyolitic tephra layer.
The 2 x 2. 5 km crater is filled by a lava dome 1 km wide. Mild explosive eruptions have been reported from summit and flank vents, although no associated tephra deposits have been found.
Tephrochronology work has revealed evidence for a large explosive eruption from the summit crater about 300 years ago.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows and surges
- Large explosive eruptions (VEI 4+)
- Ash fall and tephra deposits
- Lahars and debris flows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
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 | 250 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 300080
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Opala volcano, seen here from the E, lies about 50 km W of the main volcanic arc in southern Kamchatka. The edifice was constructed at the N end of the 10 x 12 km, 40,000-year-old Opala caldera. Post-caldera Holocene volcanism included the extrusion of lava domes and flows. The latest major explosion formed the Barany amphitheater on the SE flank about 1,500 years ago.
Photo by Andrei Tsvetkov.
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.