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KLYUCHEVSKOY VOLCANO

The Klyuchevskoy volcano, the tallest active volcano in the Northern Hemisphere, erupted following a strong 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's eastern coast. It is a stratovolcano, distinguished by its steep conical shape and vigorous volcanic activity.

Description

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Source: Daily Sabah

Context

The Klyuchevskoy volcano, the tallest active volcano in the Northern Hemisphere, erupted following a strong 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's eastern coast.

What is Klyuchevskoy volcano?

  • Klyuchevskoy, also known as Klyuchevskaya Sopka, is a prominent stratovolcano recognized for its steep, conical shape and frequent, intense volcanic activity. 
  • It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and serves as a classic example of a stratovolcano formed by successive layers of lava, ash, and volcanic debris.

Location of Klyuchevskoy volcano

  • The volcano is located on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, approximately 100 kilometers from the Bering Sea. 
  • It lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active zone known for its high frequency of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to tectonic plate movements.

Key Features of Klyuchevskoy volcano

  • Klyuchevskoy stands at a height of 4,750 meters (15,584 feet), making it the tallest active volcano in Eurasia. 
  • Its eruptions have been documented since 1697, and it has remained nearly continuously active ever since. 
  • The volcano is also a designated core area of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its geological significance and biodiversity.

Key Facts about the Kamchatka Peninsula

  • It's located in far eastern Russia.
  • It is bounded by the Sea of Okhotsk to the west and the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea to the east.
  • Along the peninsula are two mountain ranges: Sredinny ("Central") and Vostochny ("Eastern").
  • It is one of the world's largest peninsulas.
  • Climate: Severe, with long, cold, snowy winters and rainy, cool summers.
  • The Kamchatka Peninsula serves as the northern link in the Kuril-Kamchatka island chain, which spans 2000 kilometers.
  • This region has 68 active volcanoes, which account for more than 10% of the total number found on land anywhere on the planet.
  • This arc is part of the "Ring of Fire," a series of volcanoes that surrounds the Pacific Ocean.

Source: Indian Express

Practice Question:

Q. With reference to the Klyuchevskoy Volcano, consider the following statements:

  1. It is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia.

  2. It is the tallest active volcano in the world.

  3. It is part of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  4. It lies outside the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 4 only
D) 1, 3 and 4 only

Correct Answer:

B) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

  • Statement 1: Correct. The volcano is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia.

  • Statement 2: Incorrect. It is the tallest active volcano in Eurasia, not the world.

  • Statement 3: Correct. It is part of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Statement 4: Incorrect. It lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, not outside it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 It is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia, near the Bering Sea.

Klyuchevskoy is a stratovolcano, known for its steep cone shape and explosive eruptions.

It is the tallest active volcano in Eurasia and part of the UNESCO-listed Volcanoes of Kamchatka.

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