RUSSIA: Scientists begin new monitoring regime for volcanoes on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula

Scientists install new equipment to monitor volcanic activity in Russia's Kamchatka region. The peninsula in the Far East of Russia is home to 28 active volcanos. Russian scientists have launched a new project aimed at monitoring volcanic activity on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the country's Far East region. The peninsula is home to 28 active volcanos that erupt periodically, spewing molten lava and clouds of ash and steam. Some of these eruptions are powerful and last long enough to disrupt aviation in the area and in the past have forced authorities to evacuate local people in towns and villages close to the erupting volcano. Most of Kamchatka's volcanos are spread along a north-south axis on the east of the peninsula. In a recent visit to the area, a team of Russian volcanologists, and seismologists installed new monitoring equipment on the lower slopes of the Karimsky volcano. The Karimsky has been in an active phase since 1996, with frequent eruptions accompanied by seismic activity. "At the moment, the volcano is in a quiet state, and we could see that while we were flying around the crater. The quiet condition allows us to see the crater of the Karimsky volcano from a closer distance. But I don't think the volcano will stay quiet for a long time, and we expect renewed activity shortly," said Alexei Ozerov, a volcanologist. With the help of new equipment, including seismic monitors and GPS, the scientists say they will be able to look out for signs of increased volcanic activity, which are often accompanied by tectonic movement and bulging of the earth at volcanic sites. "Our goal has been to observe how the earth is moving, how it is deforming. We have been monitoring earth movements in this area since 1972; but nowadays we are using new technology, including GPS technology," said Mifodi Magoskin, head of seismic department at Russia's Far East Volcanology Institute. The new monitoring regime will enable scientists to keep an eye on volcanic activity over a 24-hour period, from remote sites, such as their main operations base at the regional capital in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Speaking from the science base on the foothills of the Karimsky volcano, Ozerov said the round-the-clock monitoring was important for the safety of the civilian population. "The situation on Kamchatka is unstable (in relation to volcanic activity). At the moment, we have two erupting volcanos, one of them is Sheveluch, in the north, near the village of Kiluchy - this is a very powerful volcano, with frequent eruptions that reach a height of 10-15km, which can be dangerous to air traffic and local people living in the area," he said.

ITN Source | November 19, 2007

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