Today, Kamchatka researchers have not come toconsensus on the number of volcanoes on this earth. Some believe that there are no more than a hundred of them, others believe that there are thousands of them. Such a large variation in the estimates is explained by a different approach to the issue: not all volcanoes in Kamchatka are active, many of them do not show their activity today, and therefore they are considered just mountains.
Nevertheless, such a thing as “actingvolcano ", experts consider relative. The fact is that the active volcano is considered if there is evidence that it has ever erupted. And it could happen a hundred, and a thousand years ago.
Koryak Sopka is an active volcano located in Kamchatka, thirty-five kilometers north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It belongs to the stratovolcano.
After years of observation and researchscientists have concluded that this volcano began to form in ancient times, or rather, in the era of the Upper Pleistocene. First, a lava mountain, two and a half kilometers high, appeared on the site of the current volcano, which acquired a modern cone in the late Pleistocene. It is composed of basaltic andesite and andesite lavas.
On modern geographical maps foundThe name is Koryak Sopka. But this name was not always a volcano. In the 17th century, the famous explorer of Kamchatka S.P. Krasheninnikov in his research calls the volcano the Strelokka hill.
Locals from the surrounding villages were found inthese places are volcanic glass. It was used in everyday life, in particular, for the manufacture of arrowheads. This may explain why the volcano in Kamchatka got its second name.
Much later, in the 19th century, local peopleKoryaks, wandering with deer herds, created a settlement at the foot of the mountain, which they began to call Koryaks. Accordingly, the mountain was named Koryak Sopka. It stuck and survived to our days.
The volcano is part of the Koryak-Avachinskayasystem and is located in the Eastern Ridge. Externally, it is a ribbed cone of the correct form. On a clear sunny day, the Koryak hill looks majestically, its height reaching 3,456 meters.
The features of this giant are a big circusmore than five hundred meters in diameter on the eastern and northern slopes, from which two huge glaciers and a cut-off summit descend along the flanks. According to its type, the volcano refers to stratovolcanoes. Its cone is composed of basalt and andesite structures, as well as ash and lava.
It should be noted that the mountain has quitelarge angle of inclination - up to twenty degrees at the bottom and up to thirty-five degrees at the top. The Kamchatka volcano has slopes thickly cut by furrows widening at the foot, which were washed away by flowing water. They are well visible, even filled with snow and ice.
The modern crater of the volcano is located in the westernparts of the top. Its diameter is two hundred meters. Past eruptions of its edge a bit destroyed. Another ancient crater is located on the northern side of the summit, where a circus is preserved, more than a hundred meters in depth and five hundred meters in diameter. Now he is busy with a glacier.
The entire northern slope of the volcano is covered with snowfields andglaciers. They stretched to the very bottom for four kilometers. And the lower slopes of the hill are covered with dense forests, consisting of stone birch and cedar elfin. Until now, this volcano in Kamchatka is active, although its size does not quite correspond to the intensity of eruptions.
Kamchatka Koryaksky volcano is located in specially protected areas:
Вулкан Корякская сопка еще недостаточно хорошо studied. Nevertheless, scientists managed to find out that over the past seven thousand years, seven eruptions have occurred at the top - in 5050, 1950 and 1550 BC, and in 1890, 1926 and 1956. Last activity recorded in 2008. Locals observed a powerful emission of smoke and ash on the western slope. As a result, the ash plume stretched for more than 100 km.
The eruption of 1926 was calm.No explosions were observed, lava flowed out of the crater quite calmly. The second eruption, which began in 1956, was much more active. Experts say that it differed explosive nature. From the gap formed, the length of which was about five hundred, and a width of about fifteen meters, a column of ash and gas escaped, rising to a height of one thousand seven hundred meters. At the same time, no lava effusion was recorded.
The local residents of the Koryak hill again surprised2008 A new ejection of gases and ashes created a train that stretched for tens of kilometers. But there was no eruption after that. Despite the fact that the volcano is rarely active, it is listed as a volcano of the decade. Since 1996, he has entered the list of sixteen peaks that the UN Commission (IAVCEI) is studying. They are considered the most dangerous because of their proximity to settlements.
Locals perceive the activity of the volcanocalmly, they simply call him "Koryak", and when he smokes, they say that the hill smokes. Snowboarders have long noted the melting of glaciers that are on the ridge, which only confirms its activity. Famous Paratun warm springs begin from the hills.
Now the volcano is at rest.On its slopes are three outlets of fumarole gases, which in different years the temperature rises to +273 ° C. Koryak volcano is popular among experienced climbers. The rather steep slopes of the mountain make climbing quite difficult, requiring some training and skill. Unfortunately, several inexperienced explorers of mountain peaks died here, who overestimated their strength.
As a rule, the Koryak volcano, which is a localtourist attraction, because of the steep slopes, deep barrancos do not disturb ordinary tourists, and? fortunately, it is not organized mass ascents, as, for example, on the neighboring Avacha peak.
It is believed that the first conquered the top of Koryakvolcano naturalist and doctor of the Russian vessel "Alexander" - F.V. Stein. This ascent took place at the end of September 1821. According to surviving documents, it is known that in the 20th century, the first to climb this volcano in 1934, headed by a journalist from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Steblich.
Four years later, the first woman, Polina Sushkova, conquered the summit. Seven years later, this brave woman nearly fell under the eruption of the volcano Avachinsky, which occurred in February 1945.
The volcano is only thirty kilometers fromPetropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Various routes of difficulty - from 1B to 3A - lead to its top. Experienced climbers believe that technically climbing is not too difficult. However, it is characterized by great physical exertion due to a height difference.
The beginning of the ascent is carried out from the base campfrom which to send the route athletes. It is located at an altitude of nine hundred meters. You can climb to the top in one or two days. A longer route is preferable, however, it has its drawbacks. First of all, it concerns the need to raise sleeping bags, a tent, a burner, food and water to a height of more than two thousand meters.
Climb in one day, takes no moreeleven - twelve o'clock. The descent is faster in about four to five hours. Mountaineers consider the best time for climbing the Koryak volcano to be from mid-April to late June. At this time there are no severe frosts, and all the irregularities of the relief and loose rock are still safely covered with a snow blanket.
In addition, at this time, it is convenient to descend fromvolcano on snowboards or skis. People who have initial skills in mountaineering can climb - to be able to walk in a bundle, use an ice ax and cats. Very important and good physical shape. Experienced climbers recommend that beginners first try their hand at the Avachinsky volcano, which is 2751 meters high.
Athletes leave the route from the same base camp. For beginners, the Avachinsky volcano is a kind of ordeal and good training, before a more serious ascent.
Do not forget about the special equipment, without which the mountains can not do. Here is an approximate list of necessary things:
С российскими городами Петропавловск-Камчатский connects air and sea communication. Airport Yelizovo, which serves the city, is international. There are regular flights to many Russian cities: (Vladivostok, Moscow, Khabarovsk, St. Petersburg, Magadan, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk and others). In addition, domestic flights are carried out to Ust-Kamchatsk, Ozernovskiy, Palanu, Nikolskoye (Commander Islands), Ossora. From the suburban settlements Mokhovaya, Avacha, Nagorny, Dolinovka to the volcano can be reached by bus.
According to reviews of all who happened to see Koryakthe hill, delighted with the extraordinary natural beauty and power. The volcano makes a great impression even on those tourists who do not make the ascent, so if you have the opportunity to visit Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, be sure to visit the mound.
