Shiveluch Volcano

Updated: Apr 2, 2025 03:31 GMT - refresh

Stratovolcano

Kamchatka, 56.65°N / 161.36°E

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Summit height: 3283 m (10,771 ft)

Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)

Last update: 31 Mar 2025 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)

Shiveluch volcano on a Terra satellite image from 19 Feb 2012. Volcanic debris is seen on the lower flanks; the debris traveled about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Shiveluch’s growing lava dome. (Nasa Earth Observatory)

Shiveluch (Sheveluch) volcano is one of Kamchatka's largest and most active volcanoes, and the one that has had the most violent eruptions.

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Typical eruption style: Highly explosive. Construction of lava domes and large pyroclastic flows caused by dome collapse. One of Kamchatka's largest and most active volcanoes.
Shiveluch volcano eruptions: 1739(?), 1800(?), 1854 (Plinian eruption), 1879-83, 1897-98, 1905, 1928-29, 1930, 1944-50, 1964 (sub-Plinian, large dome collapse and debris flow), 1980-81, 1984, 1985, 1986-88, 1988, 1989 1990-94, 1997, 1998, 1999, 1999-ongoing

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Background

Shiveluch has had over 60 large explosive eruptions during the past 10,000 years. Catastrophic eruptions took place in 1854 and 1956, when a large part of the lava dome collapsed and created a devastating debris avalanche.
It belongs to the Kliuchevskaya volcano group and is about 65,000 years old. Its summit is truncated by a broad 9-km-wide caldera of about 10,000 years of age, breached to the south. Many lava domes dot its outer flanks. Widespread tephra layers from Shiveluch's eruptions are valuable time markers for dating volcanic events in Kamchatka.

Shiveluch Volcano Photos

Incandescent rockfall down flank of lava dome of Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka (Oct 2013) (Photo: Richard Roscoe)

Explosion at Shiveluch volcano (Kamchatka) Oct 2016 (Photo: Andrey)

The active lava dome of Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka, in Oct 2013 (Photo: Richard Roscoe)

Ash venting from Shiveluch volcano's lava dome (Oct 2013), Kamchatka (Photo: Richard Roscoe)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Shiveluch volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Shiveluch has had at least 102 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 20 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Shiveluch volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Shiveluch volcano since around 1800. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Shiveluch can be found on the news page of Shiveluch volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Damage
1999 Aug 15 - ongoing	Historical obs./docs.	4?
2024 Aug 17 (eruption 1999 Aug 15 - ongoing)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	4		Info
2024 Aug 17: An explosive eruption of the lava dome 300 years RAS of the Sheveluch volcano continues. Explosions sent ash up to 4.5-5 km a.s.l., and ash plume extended about 1520 km to the east-south-east from the volcano. Start time of explosion and how determined: 20240817/1145Z – Satellite data (reference #13823) According to media, as of 18 August, the strong earthquake triggered the eruption of the Shiveluch volcano causing an ash plume of 9,000m and an ashfall in the Ust-Kamchatsk village in the Ust-Kamchatsk district, in the eastern Kamchatka (Far Eastern Federal District). (reference #13819) The explosive eruption of the volcano probably ended, but extrusive eruptions from the two centers near the Karan lava dome (the lava domes 300 years of the RAS and a New) continues. Clouds obscured the volcano at now. Satellite data by KVERT shows a 1900 long ash cloud continues to drift to the east of the volcano, its front part at 19:20 UTS on 18 August was at a distance of more than 2400 km from the volcano. KVERT continues to monitor of the Sheveluch volcano. An extrusive eruption of Sheveluch volcano continues. (reference #13822) Cited references #13819 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2024): ECHO Daily Flash, Russia - Earthquake and volcanic eruption. Published 19 August 2024. Link #13822 Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) (2024): VONA/KVERT Information Release, August 18, 2024. KVERT, Institute of Volcanology and Seismology FEB RAS. (Issued at 2033Z). Link #13823 Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) (2024): VONA/KVERT Information Release, August 17, 2024. KVERT, Institute of Volcanology and Seismology FEB RAS. (Issued at 0553Z). Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1999 Aug 15 (eruption 1999 Aug 15 - ongoing)	Historical obs./docs.	4	light	Info
1999 Aug 15: Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 4?. Lava Volume: >1x10⁸ m³. Eruptive Characteristics: Central vent eruption, Explosive eruption, Pyroclastic flow(s), Lava flow(s), Lava dome extrusion, Damage (land, property, etc.), Mudflow(s) (lahars). (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1999 Apr 3 - Apr 12	Historical obs./docs.	2
1998 May 30 - Sep 3	Historical obs./docs.	3
1997 Mar 8 - Apr 4	Historical obs./docs.	2
1990 Jan 10 - 1995 Feb 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	3
1990 Feb 2 (eruption 1990 Jan 10 - 1995 Feb 16 ±15 d.)	Historical obs./docs.	3	light	Info
1990 Feb 2: Lava Volume: 1.4x10⁸ m3. Tephra Volume: >9x10⁶ m³. Eruptive Characteristics:, Central vent eruption, Explosive eruption, Pyroclastic flow(s), Phreatic explosion(s), Lava dome extrusion, Spine extrusion, Damage (land, property, etc.), Mudflow(s) (lahars). (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1989 Apr 7 - Jun 26	Historical obs./docs.	2
1988 Dec 7	Historical obs./docs.	2?
1986 Mar 28 - 1988 Feb 28	Historical obs./docs.	3
1985 May 26 - Oct 25	Historical obs./docs.	2
1984 Mar 17 - Sep 6	Historical obs./docs.	2?
1980 Aug 23 - 1981 Dec 1 ±30 d.	Center of 1964 crater Historical obs./docs.	1
1964 Nov 12	Molodoy Sheveluch summit domes Historical obs./docs.	4+
1944 Nov 5 - 1950 Apr 6	Suelich Historical obs./docs.	2
1930 Feb 1 ±30 d.	Historical obs./docs.	1
1928 Jan 27 - 1929 Apr 15 ±45 d.	Historical obs./docs.	1
1905	Historical obs./docs.	?
1897 - 1898	Historical obs./docs.	2
1879 - 1883	Historical obs./docs.	3
1854 Feb 18	Historical obs./docs.	5
1854 Feb 18 (eruption 1854 Feb 18)	Historical obs./docs.	5	light	Info
1854 Feb 18: Tephra Volume: 2±1.0x10⁹m³. Eruptive Characteristics: Central vent eruption, Explosive eruption, Pyroclastic flow(s), Lava dome extrusion, Damage (land, property, etc.), Mudflow(s) (lahars). (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
?? 1800 ±10 y.	Uncertain Eruption	3

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

Shiveluch Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Shiveluch volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Shiveluch began in 1999 and is continuing (as of April 2025).

+How often does Shiveluch volcano erupt?

Since 1739, Shiveluch volcano has had at least 20 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 14.3 years.
Many eruptions of Shiveluch have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 64 out of 286 years until now. In other words, Shiveluch has been active at least one in 4.5 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Shiveluch is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Shiveluch volcano at present?

Shiveluch volcano is extremely active: Since 1900, it has had 55 eruptions, and been active during 55 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Shiveluch has been in eruption one in 2.3 years on average. The latest eruption is still continuing at present.

+When was the largest eruption of Shiveluch volcano?

The largest eruption of Shiveluch volcano in historic times occurred in 1854. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 5 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

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Shiveluch Volcano Tours

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Shiveluch 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).