In our article, we want to talk about the Nameless Volcano. It is interesting in that it is considered active, its eruption was observed in 1956. So what is Bezymyannyi volcano in Kamchatka? What else is he interested in? Let's talk about it.
Volcano location
Bezymyanny volcano is located in the center of the Klyuchevsky group, not far from Klyuchevsky. If we talk about what it is, it is an elongated array with a destroyed peak. In the eastern part there is a fragment of an older volcano, most of it was destroyed during the 1956 explosion. Only a small southeastern part has survived. The western part of the massif is Bezymyannyi volcano. Its slopes are covered with wide lava flows, the earliest of them are located in the southwest and south. And at the foot are sixteen domes of completely different ages and composition. The destroyed peak is a large crater (diameter 1.3 x 2.8 kilometers), in its center is a new formation called the dome.
During the late Pleistocene, on the spot where Bezymyanny (volcano) is now located, domes of dacitic composition were formed. There were 16. And ten to eleven thousand years ago, on the slopes of the Kamen volcano, Bezymyanny formed. The stratovolcano began to form 5500 years ago. The activity of these places made itself felt for another two thousand years.
Periods of activity of the Nameless
Nameless (volcano in Kamchatka) has been active for the past 2500 years. Conventionally, this period can be divided into three periods. Based on the indicators of ash masses, we can assume that the moments of activation occurred in the following periods:
- 2400-1700 years ago.
- 13 500-1000.
- From 1965 to the present.
Eruption. Nameless, 1956
Scientists can judge the earlier periods of activity of a volcano by the composition of volcanic rocks. But as for the last eruption, it was not so long ago, and therefore we can talk about it in more detail.
Before it, the height of the volcano was 3100 meters. At that time, at its peak was a fairly well-defined crater with a diameter of about half a kilometer. In the southern part of the crater was a slag cone (inner). Near the top, the slopes were riddled with volcanic potholes. At that time, the volcano was considered extinct for a long time. No one even suggested that some activity could be going on inside him. Everything changed the eruption of the volcano. The nameless one of 1956 presented an unexpected "surprise", which can hardly be called pleasant. Its eruption is called catastrophic, because it occurred after a very long period of rest, which lasted about a thousand years. No wonder that the volcano was considered extinct for a long time. And the eruption of 1956 opened a completely new period in the life of the giant, which continues to this day.
Why was Bezymyanny considered extinct?
I must say that the lack of signs of activity at one time caused some neglect of Bezymyanny, and in vain. But there were some scientists who suggested that this volcano was still able to give a surprise. And so it happened. Very soon, this assumption was fully justified.
In 1955, at the Klyuchevskaya station, multiple tremors were recorded by seismographs just in the direction of Bezymyanny. However, even these signs did not change the attitude of specialists towards him. For some reason, they thought that the phenomenon was connected with the future appearance of the next side crater of such a volcano as Kryuchevsky.
And on October 22, the Nameless Volcano came to life in the most unexpected way for everyone.
New life of an active volcano
The eruption of the volcano (Bezymyanny is very unpredictable) began with powerful emissions of ash, which soared to a height of up to five kilometers. But then suddenly the volcano began to subside. It seemed that on this, in fact, it was all over. However, everything turned out completely different …
Already in March 1956, a severe explosion shook all the surroundings. Huge clubs of ash rushed to a height of thirty-five kilometers. The top of the volcano was completely destroyed. In its place, a crater with a diameter of one and a half kilometers was formed. At the same time, its height instantly decreased by 250 meters.
The explosion itself was directed east.
The devastating effects of the eruption
It was so powerful that at a distance of up to 25 kilometers all the trees were burned and felled. Hot sand, ashes, debris covered a territory of 500 km 2 with a very thick layer. In this case, almost all the vegetation was destroyed. The snow that had accumulated over the winter instantly melted and rushed into the valley with dirty streams. Fragments of trees captured by them were also carried there. Water passed through the valley, bringing with it a lot of dirt, stones and wood, from which a completely impassable blockage formed. A poisonous stream for many days poisoned the water of Kamchatka, making it completely unsuitable for consumption. In addition, sulfur impurities led to the death of fish. Here is such a surprise presented by the Bezymianny volcano in Kamchatka.
After the crater formed, a red-hot lava dome began to rise from its bottom. In 1966, ten years after its eruption, the ascent to the volcano felt the presence of life in it. From time to time, quite strong shocks were clearly felt under the feet, which caused blocks to roll down the slopes, and gas streams smelling of sulfur rose from the multiple crevices. The climb was not finished, it just had to be stopped.
New surprises from an active volcano
Now the Bezymianny volcano is the active volcano of Kamchatka. The 1956 eruption became one of the largest on a global scale in the current historical period. After this event, Bezymyanny volcano woke up twice more. But both eruptions were weak (in 1977, 1984). Its activity was also observed in 1984. But already in 1985, the volcano presented a new surprise.
In late June, new shocks were recorded. A group of volcanologists was sent to the place under the leadership of Firstov P.P. And on June 29, Bezymyanny again exploded. And again there was a directed discharge to the east. The explosion was very powerful. By force, he was second after 1956. And again, no one expected this from Bezymyanny. He was considered already sufficiently studied, he was already accustomed to his periodic shocks. The group that went to the place nearly died and miraculously survived.
Imagine that a blazing cloud swept over twelve kilometers and destroyed all the young vegetation that had just appeared in a deserted place after the last eruption. The houses of volcanologists built at the foot were also destroyed. Fortunately, they were uninhabited at that time. The dome formed after the 1956 explosion survived, but the crater increased again.
Extraordinary sight
Volcanoes have the special property of always being in constant "combat readiness." Nameless behaves the same way. Experience shows that you should always be on your guard with it. Even if he is completely calm today, this does not mean anything. Soon he can come to life. Nameless for a long time periodically makes itself felt. And every time this happens completely unexpectedly. Each eruption is something amazing, bewitching. Powerful fire element, hot red-hot lava flows, explosions and fireworks from stones. This is all an eruption of a volcano. If someone had the chance to live to see such a phenomenon of nature, then a person will forever change his attitude towards them. All the eruptions of Bezymyanny occur with serious explosions and rather severe destruction.
Type and form of Nameless
In its structure, a volcano is a geological formation on the earth's crust, through which liquid lava comes to the surface and forms volcanic rocks. By activity, volcanoes are divided into active, dormant and extinct. And according to the form of formation, stratovolcanoes, thyroid, slag and others are distinguished. Nameless just refers to active volcanoes.
In addition, he is a stratovolcano by the type of education.
The role of Bezymyanny in world volcanology
Explore and describe the volcanoes began only in the XVIII century. The first book on Kamchatka volcanoes was published by P. Krashennikov in 1756. It contained information about the hot springs and giants of these places, including Bezymyanny. Later there were other works. In Soviet times, the Atlas of Volcanoes of the USSR was even published. And in 1991, modern work appeared on active volcanoes in Kamchatka, where active giants were described in sufficient detail. Thanks to the 1956 eruption, Bezymyanny went down in history forever. Since then, a new type has appeared in world volcanology - “Nameless”, or “directional explosion”. Previously, there were no such terms in science.
