Increased activity at Bezymianny volcano in Russia raises risk of strong explosive eruption
An extrusive-effusive eruption at Bezymianny volcano in Kamchatka, Russia, intensified on April 11, 2025, producing pyroclastic flows on the eastern slopes and ash plumes reaching 3–4 km (9 800–13 100 feet) above sea level. Current data suggests the volcano is preparing for a strong explosive eruption.
Bezymianny volcano on April 9, 2025. Credit: Institute of Volcanology and Seismology FEB RAS, KVERT
An extrusive-effusive eruption of the volcano increased significantly on April 11, with pyroclastic flows down the eastern slopes of the lava dome and the ash rising up to 3–4 km (9 800–13 100 feet) above sea level (a.s.l.)
Satellite data by the Kamchatka Volcano Eruption Response Team (KVERT) showed an ash plume extending about 90 km (56 miles) to the northeast of the volcano.
At 02:20 UTC on April 12, volcanic ash was reaching up to 6 km (20 000 feet) a.s.l, according to Volcanic Ash Advisory issued by Tokyo VAAC at 02:39 UTC.
The Aviation Color Code remains at Orange (the second-highest level on a four-color scale).
According to KVERT, effusive activity at Bezymianny is gradually increasing, and the volcano may be preparing for a strong explosive eruption.
Ash explosions reaching 10–15 km (32 800–49 200 feet) above sea level may occur at any time. Ongoing volcanic activity could affect international and low-flying aircraft.
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly was seen over Bezymianny in satellite images during March 30–31 and April 1–3 observations. Weather clouds obscured the volcano on the remaining days of the week.
According to the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (IVS) of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), intermittent ash plumes rose up to 1.2 km (3 937 feet) above the summit and drifted northeast and east.
On most days, incandescent debris avalanches descended the southeast flank, and summit incandescence was visible during nighttime hours.
Bezymianny volcano formed approximately 4 700 years ago atop older volcanic structures dating back 11 000–7 000 years. Despite its smaller size compared to neighboring volcanoes Kamen and Kliuchevskoi, it has undergone three major periods of intensified activity in the past 3 000 years.
The most recent period began with a major eruption in 1955–56 following 1 000 years of inactivity. This eruption caused a summit collapse and lateral blast, creating a large open crater. Since then, repeated lava-dome growth and intermittent explosive activity have partially refilled the crater.
References:
1 VONA/KVERT Information Release – KVERT – April 11, 2025
2 Global Volcanism Program, 2025. Report on Bezymianny (Russia) (Light, T M, and Sennert, S, eds.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, April 2–8, 2025 – GVP – Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
3 Bezymianny Geological Summary – GVP – Accessed on April 12, 2025
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