Volcano World

Photo courtesy of Primorsky Air Agency (Tours and Travel in Kamchatka)

Ebeko, a somma volcano, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Kurile Islands. Eleven eruptions have been recorded betwen 1793 and 1991. Most of the eruptions are small (VEI=1) with the exception of the 1859 eruption (VEI=3). Most eruptions were phreatic and explosive.

An ash-bearing eruption column rises above the North crater of Ebeko volcano on September 9, 1989. An explosive eruption that began on February 2, 1989 continued until April 1990. Three summit craters located along a SSW-NNE line form Ebeko volcano proper, which occupies the northern end of a complex of five volcanic cones at the northern end of Paramushir Island. Historical activity, recorded since the late-18th century, has been restricted to small-to-moderate explosive eruptions from the summit craters.

Photo courtesy of Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Response Team, 1989.

Three summit craters located along a SSW-NNE line form Ebeko volcano proper, at the northern end of a complex of five volcanic cones. Blocky lava flows extend west from Ebeko and SE from the neighboring Nezametnyi cone. The eastern part of the southern crater of Ebeko contains strong solfataras and a large boiling spring. The central crater of Ebeko is filled by a lake about 20 m deep whose shores are lined with steaming solfataras; the northern crater lies across a narrow, low barrier from the central crater and contains a small, cold crescentic lake.

Historical activity, recorded since the late-18th century, has been restricted to small-to-moderate explosive eruptions from the summit craters. Intense fumarolic activity occurs in the summit craters of Ebeko, on the outer flanks of the cone, and in lateral explosion craters. (description courtesty of the SI/USGS GVP)

Click HERE for time series ASTER data of Ebeko.