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Shiveluch Volcano

Updated: Apr 22, 2025 16:18 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Kamchatka, 56.65°N / 161.36°E
Summit height: 3283 m (10,771 ft)
Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)
Last update: 16 Apr 2025 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
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 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.

[smaller] [larger]
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

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location
Apr 22, 02:26 am (Kamchatka)
0.4

0.9 km
4.9 km (3 mi) to the SW Russia: 87 km From Usty-Kamchatsk Info
Apr 22, 01:22 am (Kamchatka)
0.5

1.8 km
5.4 km (3.3 mi) to the SW 87 km From Usty-Kamchatsk Info
Sunday, April 20, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 20, 11:22 pm (Kamchatka)
0.6

5.6 km
5.4 km (3.4 mi) to the S 85 km From Usty-Kamchatsk Info

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

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.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
1999 Aug 15 - ongoing
Historical obs./docs.
4?
2024 Aug 17
(eruption 1999 Aug 15 - ongoing)
Tsunami recorded
Historical obs./docs.
4
Info
1999 Aug 15
(eruption 1999 Aug 15 - ongoing)
Historical obs./docs.
4
light
Info
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
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 12Molodoy Sheveluch summit domes
Historical obs./docs.
4+
1944 Nov 5 - 1950 Apr 6Suelich
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
?? 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?

+How often does Shiveluch volcano erupt?

+How active is Shiveluch volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Shiveluch volcano?

Latest satellite images

Shiveluch satellite image sat1Shiveluch satellite image sat2
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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).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Shiveluch volcano (scale of few kilometers)
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Wed, 16 Apr 2025, 14:00

Sheveluch volcano (Russia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 9 April-15 April 2025 (Continuing Activity)

The Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that lava extrusion may have continued at Sheveluch's “300 years of RAS” dome on the SW flank of Old Sheveluch and at the Young Sheveluch dome during 3-10 April. Daily thermal anomalies over the domes were identified in satellite images. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). ... Read all
Wed, 9 Apr 2025, 14:00

Sheveluch volcano (Russia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 2 April-8 April 2025 (Continuing Activity)

The Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that lava extrusion may have continued at Sheveluch's “300 years of RAS” dome on the SW flank of Old Sheveluch and at the Young Sheveluch dome during 27 March-3 April. Thermal anomalies over the domes were identified in satellite images during 30-31 March and 1-3 April; weather clouds obscured views on the other days. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). ... Read all

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