Mutnovsky () is a

complex volcano A complex volcano, also called a compound volcano or a volcanic complex, is a mixed landform consisting of related volcanic centers and their associated lava flows and pyroclastic rock. They may form due to changes in eruptive habit or ...

located in the southern part of

Kamchatka Peninsula The Kamchatka Peninsula (, ) is a peninsula in the Russian Far East, with an area of about . The Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk make up the peninsula's eastern and western coastlines, respectively. Immediately offshore along the Pacific ...

Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...

, approximately 75-80 km south of

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (, ) is a city and the administrative center of Kamchatka Krai, Russia. It is located in the Far East of the country and lies along the coast of Avacha Bay by the Pacific Ocean, nearby Khalaktyrskoye Lake. As of the 202 ...

. The volcano is formed from several cones and lava flows from flank eruptions that have merged into a single massif.

Geology and structure

Mutnovsky is a complex volcanic edifice consisting of four merged cones. The volcano has two main craters - southwestern and northeastern - each about 2 km in diameter and up to 400 meters deep. The southwestern crater is occupied by a glacier. The main volcanic activity is concentrated in the northwestern part of the massif, where two overlapping craters form a figure-eight shape with a diameter of up to 2 km and a depth of 600 meters.

Volcanic activity

Mutnovsky is considered one of the active volcanoes in Kamchatka. In the 20th century, about 10 eruptions of varying intensity were observed. An eruption in 2000 resulted from underground explosions of hot gas, creating a crater 200 meters in diameter. The Active Funnel, located in the western crater, contains a large fumarole field. It emits a column of steam and gas emissions, sometimes rising to a height of one kilometer. The temperature of the fumaroles can reach 500°C.

Geothermal features

The volcano exhibits diverse geothermal activity: * Fumaroles: Cracks emitting volcanic gases, with temperatures recorded up to 540°C in 1983. * Mud pots: Boiling mud pools of various colors, including the "Black Cauldron" with highly acidic water. * Ice caves: Formed by the interaction of volcanic heat and glaciers on the volcano's slopes. * Vulkannaya River: Originates from melting glaciers and snow fields, carrying dissolved minerals and acids. It forms a canyon called Opasny (Dangerous), with an 80-meter waterfall.

Access and research

The volcano's proximity to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky facilitates scientific study. Access to the crater area is possible via off-road vehicles, with the journey taking several hours from the Opasny canyon area. At the northern foot of Mutnovsky volcano are the Dachny thermal springs, also referred to as the Lesser Valley of Geysers. This area features hot springs, boiling mud pots, and occasional geyser-like activity.

Geothermal power

The Mutnovsky Geothermal Power Plant operates near the volcano's northeastern part, harnessing geothermal energy. Its capacity is approximately 60 MW, contributing significantly to the region's power supply.

References

Sources

* * Mountains of the Kamchatka Peninsula Volcanoes of the Kamchatka Peninsula Active volcanoes Complex volcanoes {{KamchatkaKrai-geo-stub