We have identified, and describe in this paper, a phase of multifactor natural catastrophism that has been the greatest during our era in Kamchatka, to be dated 0-650 A. D. Its chief components were. The last catastrophic eruptions to have occurred (a caldera-generating one at about 240 A. D., the pyroclastics volume being 18-19 km3 and a subcaldera one around 600 A. D. with the volume of lava and pyroclastics 9.5-10.5 km3) which were followed by irreversible relief changes over areas of hundreds of square kilometers and have affected rather injuriously many other environmental components. An exceptionally intensive activity of the other volcanoes (at least 75-80% of all active and potebtially active Kamchatkan volcanoes were erupting, tens of large and catastrophic eruptions occurred). Regional catastrophic and large ashfalls. A sharp, large-amplitude (between 1.5-2 and 12-15 m) tectonic uplift of various blocks in Kamchatka. Large earthquakes accompanied by large-volume rockfalls, landslides, large and frequent tsunamis. The catastrophic events of that time are argued to have been part of a worldwide phase of natural catastrophism that we hypothesize to have occurred at the beginning of our era.

The present paper, the first in the serives "The 300 Years of Kamchatka Volcanoes", examines the 350-year eruptive history of Young Shiveluch Volcano, which is the northernmost of the active volcanic edifices in Kamchatka; the history was reconstructed from historical documents and evidence, results of geological volcanological research and tephrochronologic dating using the 14C method. The results include the types, parameters, geologic-geomorphologic effect of the volcano's eruptions, environmental impact, estimated volume and weight of erupted and displaced material, the volcano's discharge rate. Since 1964 the dimensions of the new volcanic forms, the dynamics of their growth and decay, and the volume of ejecta were found using photogrammetric techniques. Part I. 1650-1964.

Results are presented from gravity, seismic and electromagnetic studies. Main features of the deep structure of the area have been identified. A multidisciplinary geologic-geophysical model has been developed for the crust beneath Avacha Volcano. The model involves a crustal magma chamber at a depth of about 15-25 km, an intrusion that overlies it, and a peripheral chamber under the volcanic cone at 0-2 km depth, as well as a fluid-saturated zone in the Avacha Graben. We discuss possible geodynamic processes that are going on in the crust at present. Importance is attached to the fluid-containing crustal permeable zone. Recommendations are provided for drilling a deep well in the Avacha Graben area to search for a geothermal field.