Friday, May 9, 1997, 1:30 PM (2130 UTC)

Eruption activity at Bezymianny volcano appears to have declined over the past 12 hours. Visual observations made by Russian volcanologists about 1400 UTC indicated an ash column reaching to about 20,000 feet ASL (down from the +40,000 feet levels of yesterday) and extending at least several tens of kilometers to the SE. Seismic activity has also declined from the high levels recorded during the most explosive events of yesterday. Satellite imagery today shows the volcano is obscured by cloud cover but no ash plume is visible above the clouds, an observation in keeping with that reported by the Russian volcanologists. The volcano continues in eruption, however, and although current ash plumes appear to be no more than 20,000 feet ASL, occasional ash plumes to 30,000 feet ASL are still possible.

Thursday, May 8, 1997 11:50 PM ADT (0750 UTC)

The following information was received from Russian volcanologists associated with KVERT (Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team)

Bezymianny volcano (55°8'N, 160°36'E), a frequently active volcano in north-central Kamchatka, began showing signs of renewed activity about 5 days ago. Early this morning local time, an ash plume was observed rising to about 13,000 feet ASL; at 1:00 PM local Kamchatka time, the volcano went into continuous seismic tremor and about 2:00 PM local Kamchatka time (0100 UTC), a strong eruption occurred sending an ash plume to an estimated 40,000-45,000 feet ASL and extending in an east to northeast direction for several tens of miles. Two vents may have been active as of 4:00 PM local time (0300 UTC). Satellite images as of 0630 UTC indicated the eruption plume extended 260 miles to the east-northeast.

Bezymianny volcano has erupted over 25 times in this century with it's most vigorous eruption in 1956 when an explosive event occurred similar to that of May 20, 1980 at St. Helens volcano in Washington, USA destroyed the summit of the volcano. Since that climactic event, lava domes have grown and collapsed episodically with the most recent vigorous activity in 1994-1995. Based on the information presently available, at least part of the current lava dome at Bezymianny may have been destroyed. If this is the case, sporadic ash plumes to 20,000-30,000 feet ASL might be expected over the next 48 hours.

Although KVERT operations have been temporarily suspended due to lack of funding, most of the above information was initially provided by KVERT personnel.

Location of Bezymianny.
Bezymianny hotspot just before the eruption.	May 8 eruption plume.