Activation of the Sarychev Peak volcano in 2020–2021 (Matua Isl., the Central Kuril Islands)

Abstract

This publication, based on remote sensing data, examines the features of the effusive eruption of the Sarychev Peak volcano (Matua Isl., the Central Kuril Islands), which took place from December 2020 till February 2021. On the basis of the analysis of the Sentinel satellite data, it was established that starting from December 2020, the crater of the Sarychev Peak volcano began to fill with lava. As of January 18, 2021, it was completely filled, then lava outpouring through a fissure in the north-northwest part began. A lava flow (length 2 km, width 80–90 m) descended along the bottom of the valley, which cuts the northwestern slope of the volcanic cone. The outpouring of lava was completed by February 7, 2021. The effusive eruption of the Sarychev Peak volcano in 2020–2021 is atypical for the modern stage of eruptive history, characterized mainly by explosive and explosive-effusive type of eruptions.