Squeezing out plastic lava blocks on Young Shiveluch volcano (Kamchatka) in 2020–2021

Abstract

Volcano Young Sheveluch is one of the most active volcanoes in Kamchatka. Since August 1980 to the present time, an extrusive dome has been growing in the crater of the volcano. Plastic lavas in the form of large ribbons were noted on the dome already in 1980–1981, the first lava flow was observed after a paroxysmal eruption on May 9, 2004. The next large block of lava started to extrude in the end of April – beginning of May 2020. By June, 11th, it rose above the dome on 50–80 m, and up to 120 m by the end of October. On September 28, it was noted that the lava block acquired smooth surfaces. Portions of lava squeezed out from inside of the volcano in August – September were plastic. By December 8, the block had collapsed. In February 2021, a new block of plastic lava began to rise from the destroyed block. In March its height above the dome exceeded 50–60 m, and 200 m in June.

Keywords

• volcano
• shiveluch
• extrusive eruption
• lava block dolphin