Alaid Volcano

Updated: Apr 3, 2025 07:31 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

Atlasov Island, Northern Kuriles, 50.86°N / 155.55°E

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Summit height: 2339 m / 7,674 ft

Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)

Last update: 21 Aug 2024 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

Space image of Alaid stratovolcano (NASA Earth Observatory http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=78290)

Alaid is the tallest and northernmost volcano in the Kurile Islands. Also called Atlasov as the island it forms, the symmetrical stratovolcano rises 3000 m from the sea floor and forms a small island. It has a 1.5-km-wide summit crater breached to the south. It is one of the Kuriles'most active volcanoes. Large explosive eruptions occurred in 1790 and 1981, and were among the largest in the Kuriles in historic times.

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Typical eruption style: explosive
Alaid volcano eruptions: 2016 (Mar-May), 2015-16 (Oct-Jan), 2012, 1997, 1996, 1986, 1982, 1981, 1972, 1933-34, 1894, 1860, 1854, 1790-93

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Background

Numerous flank cones dot the lower flanks of the basaltic to basaltic-andesite Alaid volcano, particularly on the NW and SE sides, including an offshore cone formed during the 1933-34 eruption.
Alaid has 2 types of eruptions: summit activity from the central crater as well as lateral eruptions. The eruptions from the central crater tend to be more explosive and are more dangerous. The largest eruptions from the central crater were in February 1793, June 1854, July 1860, 1894, and April 1981.
The principal volcanic hazard from Alaid are ash plumes dangerous for aircraft (many routes from N-America to Asia pass nearby).

Alaid Volcano Photos

Alaid stratovolcano, Atlasof Island, Northern Kuriles (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Alaid volcano on Atlasov Island (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Small bay in the shoreline with Alaid in the background (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Natural bridge in the sea cliff with Alaid volcano in the background (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Alaid volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Alaid has had at least 15 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations. Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Alaid volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Alaid volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Alaid can be found on the news page of Alaid volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Damage
2022 Sep 10 - Nov 26	Historical obs./docs.	2
2018 Aug 20 - Aug 21	Historical obs./docs.	1
2015 Sep 29 - 2016 Aug 11	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2012 Oct 5 - Dec 12	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1997 Aug 23	Uncertain Eruption	?
1996 Dec 3	Historical obs./docs.	2
1986 May 25 - May 28 ±3 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2?
1982 Mar 29	Historical obs./docs.	2
1981 Nov 25	Historical obs./docs.	2
1981 Apr 27 - Jun 5	Historical obs./docs.	4
1981 Apr 27 (eruption 1981 Apr 27 - Jun 5)	Historical obs./docs.	2	light	Info
1981 Apr 27: The eruption began during the day on 27 April and was not preceded by any appreciable seismic activity. Significant ashfalls were reported over a wide area. Soviet volcanologists reported that the ash, a pyroxene olivine basalt, fell as much as 1,000 km from the volcano, over an area of 150,000 km2. They noted an accumulation of 30 cm of ash 7 km from Alaid, and that 20-25 cm fell on the town of Severokurilsk (45 km ESE of the volcano), where residents heard roaring noises and saw a glow from the volcano during the night. Schools were closed in Severokurilsk and radio communication was disrupted. Some damage was caused to buildings. Cited references #9256 Fedotov, S.A., B.V. Ivanov, G.P. Avdeyko, G.B. Flerov, V.N. Andreyev, V.N.Dvigalo, Yu.M. Dubik, and A.M. Cherkov (1981): 1981 Eruption of the Alaid Volcano. Moscow Vulkanologiya I Seysmologiya in Russian No 5. #9257 Smithsonian Institution (1981): Alaid. Scientific Event Alert Network (SEAN) Bulletin, v. 6, no. 4. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
?? 1973 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Uncertain Eruption	?
1972 Jun 18 - Sep 11	NW foot Historical obs./docs.	3
1933 Nov 13 - 1934 Aug	East submarine flank (Taketomi) Historical obs./docs.	2
1894	Historical obs./docs.	2
1860 Jul 7 - Jul 9	Historical obs./docs.	3
1854 Jun 27	Historical obs./docs.	3
1854 Jun 27 (eruption 1854 Jun 27)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	3
1790 - 1793	Historical obs./docs.	4

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Eruptions of Alaid volcano

2003 tremors
Seismic tremor began at Alaid volcano on 31 October and continued until November. The tremor was believed to be caused by strong winds, not caused by volcanic activity. (Source: GVP monthly roports)

1997 eruption
In August 1997, a thermal hotspot was visible on satellite images of the volcano indicating eruptive activity. Ashfall occurred on SW Kamchatka.

1996 eruption
Seismic activity increased in December 1996. Satellite images showed a plume reaching a height of 6 km above the volcano. A large snow storm prevented any visual observations. (GVP monthly reports)

1986 collapse of cone in summit crater
Aerial observations on 25 May 1986 revealed that the summit crater's 1981 cone (250 m high and 600 m across at its base) had been almost entirely destroyed recently. At its place there were 2 collapse craters, the larger of which measured 300 m across and ca. 100 m deep.
(Source: GVP monthly reports)

1981 eruption of Alaid volcano
The eruption of Alaid volcano in 1981 ranks as one of the largest in the Kurile Islands in historical times. ...more info

1972 lateral and submarine eruption
A lateral, partly submarine eruption began at Alaid volcano in June 1972. An eruptive fissure extended from the NW base of the volcano to the sea. The water-magma interaction produced powerful explosions and ash plumes 8 km high.

Earlier historic eruptions from Alaid volcano
1933-1934 eruptions: the first observed flank eruption
1894: summit eruption
1860: eruption from the summit crater
1854: strong explosive eruption from the summit crater
1793: explosive eruption from the summit crater

Alaid Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Alaid volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Alaid occurred in 2022.

+How often does Alaid volcano erupt?

Since 1790, Alaid volcano has had at least 15 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 15.7 years.
Many eruptions of Alaid have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 19 out of 235 years until now. In other words, Alaid has been active at least one in 12.4 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Alaid is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Alaid volcano at present?

Alaid volcano is infrequently active: Since 1900, it has had 12 eruptions, and been active during 12 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Alaid has been in eruption one in 10.5 years on average. The last eruption was in 2022 and ended 2 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Alaid volcano?

The largest eruption of Alaid volcano in historic times occurred in 1981. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

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Alaid Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).