Kizimen is a stratovolcano located in the southern part of Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
The volcano was in a dormant state since an eruption in 1929, but on 2 September 2009 it was reported by Georgina Cooper for the Reuters news agency that the crater lake temperature had risen 10 degrees Celsius in a week and plumes of steam were rising from its flanks. The activity continued throughout 2010, with the formation of new fumaroles reported in November. Seismic activity and ash emission continued to build over the following weeks, and in January 2011 a hotspot was recorded, indicating the presence of lava. In early February 2011 the volcano sent a column of ash several kilometres high. Air traffic was alerted and told to avoid the area.
As of April 2011, it has been reported that the volcanic activity and ash are threatening the endangered wild reindeer of the area.
The volcano is not well understood, and research has indicated that the volcano could erupt in a similar fashion to the catastrophic 1980 eruption of Mount St Helens.
In early February 2011 the volcano sent a column of ash several kilometres high.
Volcano Kizimen (Schapinskaya hill) was born on the western slope of the ridge Tumrok, in place of its junction with the ridge Valagin as extrusive dome of hot extruded viscous magma. Later began the outpouring of lava. Lava flows were short and completely froze on the slopes, building dome. Later he moved to the crater of the volcano type with explosive and lava eruptions.
Crater littered with blocks of lava and almost indistinguishable. Volcanic eruptions are rare. Last seen in late 1928, when the ashes thrown out and were visible glow of molten lava. Between eruptions does not stop fumarolic activity. Group of strong fumaroles located on the northern side, about 400 meters below the summit. Here two crevices with a loud noise erupt rich hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide water vapor. The surface of the slope around the deferred sulfur and decomposed volcanic rocks.
Correct, almost peaked, with “curly” tip of the lava and constantly hovering fumaroles, the volcano is impressive. Kizimen is the traditional place of climbing tourist groups passing through Tumrokskie sources.
Kizimov opposite river left Shchapina, flattened its foot from the south and spurs Askhachny ridge – from the north, rushing through the narrow channel, forming numerous rapids. Rafting on this site have water tourists is very complicated. In the past, the level of the channel appears to have been higher, and to the east of the site is occupied by a narrow lake. This is evidenced by flattened and waterlogged surface intermountain basin about 4 km long, which lies to the west of Tumrokskih sources. The bed deepened – and the lake disappeared, leaving a flat surface of the bottom.