Today, researchers in Kamchatka have not reached a consensus on the number of volcanoes on this earth. Some believe that there are not more than a hundred of them, while others are sure that there are thousands of them. Such a wide variation in estimates is explained by a different approach to the question: not all volcanoes in Kamchatka are active, many of them today do not show their activity, and therefore they are considered simply mountains.
Nevertheless, such a concept as “active volcano”, experts consider relative. The thing is that the active volcano is considered if there is evidence that it has ever erupted. And it could happen a hundred and a thousand years ago.
Koryaksky Sopka is an active volcano located in Kamchatka, thirty-five kilometers north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It belongs to stratovolcanoes.
Koryak hill: where is the volcano?
After years of observation and research, scientists came to the conclusion that this volcano began to form in ancient times, and more precisely, in the era of the Upper Pleistocene. Initially, a lava mountain two and a half kilometers high appeared on the site of the current volcano, which in the late Pleistocene acquired a modern cone. It is composed of basalt-andesitic and andesitic lavas.
Name history
On modern geographic maps the name Koryaksky hill is found. But the volcano did not always have such a name . In the XVII century, the famous Kamchatka explorer S.P. Krasheninnikov in his research calls the volcano Strelokaya hills.
Locals from nearby villages found volcanic glass in these places . It was used in everyday life, in particular, for the manufacture of arrowheads. This can explain why this volcano in Kamchatka got its second name.
Much later, in the 19th century, local residents, roaming with reindeer herds - Koryaks, created a settlement at the foot of the mountain, which they began to call "Koryaks". Accordingly, the mountain was called Koryak hill. It has become entrenched and preserved to this day.
Koryak hill: description
The volcano is part of the Koryak-Avacha system and is located in the Eastern Range. Outwardly, it is a ribbed regular shaped cone. On a clear sunny day, the Koryak hill looks magnificent, the height of which reaches 3456 meters.
What is remarkable about the hill?
The features of this giant are a large circus with a diameter of more than five hundred meters on the eastern and northern slopes, from which two huge glaciers and a cut peak descend along the flanks. By its type, the volcano belongs to stratovolcanoes. Its cone is composed of basalt and andesite structures, as well as ash and lava.
It should be noted that the mountain has a rather large angle of inclination - up to twenty degrees in the lower part and up to thirty-five degrees in the upper one. The Kamchatka volcano has slopes densely indented, furrows expanding to the foot, which were washed away by the flowing water. They are clearly visible, even filled with snow and ice.
Crater
The modern crater of the volcano is located in the western part of the peak. Its diameter is two hundred meters. By past eruptions, its edges are a little destroyed. Another ancient crater is located on the northern side of the peak, where a circus has survived, with a depth of more than one hundred meters and a diameter of five hundred meters. Now he is busy with the glacier.
The entire northern slope of the volcano is covered by snowfields and glaciers. They stretched to the very foot for four kilometers. And the lower slopes of the hills are covered with dense forests consisting of stone birch and cedar dwarf. Until now, this volcano in Kamchatka is active, although its size does not quite correspond to the intensity of eruptions.
Security Territories
Kamchatka Koryaksky volcano is located in specially protected areas:
- Nalychevo Natural Park, listed in UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996;
- Three Volcanoes State Reserve (Biological), established in 1994 to protect black-caped groundhogs, snow sheep, ground squirrels, and animal and bird species prohibited for hunting.
Volcanic activity
The Koryak volcano is still not well understood. Nevertheless, scientists were able to find out that over the past seven thousand years, seven eruptions occurred at the top - in 5050, 1950 and 1550 BC, and in 1890, 1926 and 1956. The last activity was recorded in 2008. Local residents observed a powerful emission of smoke and ash on the western slope. As a result, the trail of ash spread over more than 100 km.
The eruption of 1926 was calm. No explosions were observed; lava flowed out quite calmly from the crater. The second eruption, which began in 1956, was much more active. Experts say that it was explosive. A column of ash and gas escaped to a height of one thousand seven hundred meters from the gap formed, whose length was about five hundred and a width of about fifteen meters. No outflows of lava were recorded.
Again surprised local residents Koryak hill in 2008. A new emission of gases and ash created a train that stretched for tens of kilometers. But the eruption did not follow. Despite the fact that the volcano is quite rarely active, it is included in the list of volcanoes of the decade. Since 1996, he has been on the list of sixteen peaks studied by the UN Commission (IAVCEI). They are considered the most dangerous because of their close proximity to human settlements.
Locals perceive the activity of the volcano quite calmly, they simply call it “Koryak”, and when it smokes, they say that the hill smokes. Snowboarders have long noted the melting of the glaciers that are on the ridge, which only confirms its activity. Famous Paratunka warm springs start from the hill.
Koryak hill: ascent
Now the volcano is at rest. On its slopes are three outlets of fumarole gases, which in different years, whose temperature rises to +273 ° C. Koryaksky volcano is popular among experienced climbers. Rather steep slopes of the mountain make climbing quite difficult, requiring some preparation and skill. Unfortunately, several inexperienced mountain climbers who overestimated their strength died here.
As a rule, Koryaksky volcano, which is a local attraction, due to the steep slopes, deep barrancos, is not disturbed by ordinary tourists, and? fortunately, mass ascents are not organized on it, as, for example, on the neighboring Avachinsky peak.
The first conquerors of the volcano
It is believed that the first to conquer the peak of the Koryaksky volcano was the naturalist and physician of the Russian ship Alexander, F.V. Stein. This climb occurred at the end of September 1821. According to the surviving documents, it is known that in the XX century the first to climb this volcano in 1934, led by a journalist from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Steblicz.
Four years later, the first woman conquered the peak - Polina Sushkova. Seven years later, this brave woman almost fell under the eruption of the Avachinsky volcano, which occurred in February 1945.
The volcano is located only thirty kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Various routes of complexity category are leading to its top - from 1B to 3A. Experienced climbers believe that technically climbing is not too difficult. However, it is characterized by great physical exertion due to elevation.
The start of the ascent is carried out from the base camp, from which the athletes go on the route. It is located at an altitude of nine hundred meters. Climbing to the top can be done in one or two days. A longer route is preferable, however, it has its drawbacks. First of all, this concerns the need to raise sleeping bags, a tent, a burner, food and water to a height of more than two thousand meters.
Climbing in one day, takes no more than eleven to twelve hours. The descent is faster, in about four to five hours. The best time for climbing the Koryaksky volcano is climbers consider the period from mid-April to the end of June. At this time, there were no more severe frosts, and all the bumps in the relief and loose rock were still safely covered with a snow cover.
In addition, at this time, it is convenient to go down the volcano on snowboards or skis. Climbing can be done by people who have basic skills in mountain climbing - being able to walk in combination, use an ice ax and cats. Very good physical fitness. Experienced climbers recommend that beginners first try their hand at the Avachinsky volcano, whose height is 2751 meters.
Athletes leave for the route from the same base camp. For beginners, the Avachinsky volcano is a kind of test and good training, before a more serious ascent.
Do not forget about special equipment, without which you can not do in the mountains. Here is a sample list of necessary things:
- sleeping bag;
- tent;
- cats and ice ax;
- warm gloves;
- lightweight down jacket;
- face mask (for protection against wind);
- light gloves;
- thermal underwear;
- pants made of membrane fabric;
- thermal socks;
- climbing boots;
- snowboard or ski equipment (when planning a descent from a volcano),
- thermos (1 liter);
- Sunglasses;
- tracking sticks;
- sunscreen.
How to get there
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is connected with Russian cities by air and sea. Yelizovo Airport, which serves the city, is international. It makes regular flights to many Russian cities: (Vladivostok, Moscow, Khabarovsk, St. Petersburg, Magadan, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk and others). In addition, domestic flights are carried out to Ust-Kamchatsk, Ozernovsky, Palana, Nikolskoye (Commander Islands), Ossora. From the suburban villages of Mokhovaya, Avacha, Nagorny, Dolinovka, you can get to the volcano by regular buses.
According to reviews of all who happened to see the Koryak hill, delighted with the extraordinary natural beauty and power. The volcano makes a huge impression even on those tourists who do not climb, so if you have the opportunity to visit Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, be sure to visit the hill.