This paper presents results from a study of lava flows that were discharged by Bezymyannyi Volcano at different times, from old (about 3500 years ago) to recent ones (1985–1989). We provide detailed descriptions of the composition, structure, and petrophysical properties for the main types of constituent rocks, which are andesites and basaltic andesites. It was found that porosity is the leading factor that controls rock properties, while the effects of structural and mineralogical features are less prominent. We demonstrate the variation in the properties of rocks that compose the lava flows in relation to their ages: the older a rock is, the higher its density and strength and the lower its porosity is.

Very powerful eruption of Sarychev Peak volcano (Matua Isl., the Central Kuriles) in June 2009 is examined in the paper. Nature of the eruption and its catastrophic impact on the island ecosystem (using vegetation as an example) are described based on remote sensing data (photos from the space) and ground observations, carried out in summer of 2009.

More than 65 potentially active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kurile Islands pose a substantial threat to aircraft on the Northern Pacific (NOPAC), Russian Trans-East (RTE), and Pacific Organized Track System (PACOTS) air routes. The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) monitors and reports on volcanic hazards to aviation for Kamchatka and the north Kuriles. KVERT scientists utilize real-time seismic data, daily satellite views of the region, real-time video, and pilot and field reports of activity to track and alert the aviation industry of hazardous activity. Most Kurile Island volcanoes are monitored by the Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT) based in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. SVERT uses daily moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite images to look for volcanic activity along this 1,250-km chain of islands. Neither operation is staffed 24 h per day. In addition, the vast majority of Russian volcanoes are not monitored seismically in real-time. Other challenges include multiple time-zones and language differences that hamper communication among volcanologists and meteorologists in the US, Japan, and Russia who share the responsibility to issue official warnings. Rapid, consistent verification of explosive eruptions and determination of cloud heights remain significant technical challenges. Despite these difficulties, in more than a decade of frequent eruptive activity in Kamchatka and the northern Kuriles, no damaging encounters with volcanic ash from Russian eruptions have been recorded.

The article provides data on explosive eruption from January 29 to June 18, 2009 produced by Ebeko Volcano, Paramushir Island. The eruption was produced from Activnaya funnel in Northern crater. The volcano was continuously sending gas-ash cloud to an altitude of 300 to 1000 m above the crater interrupted by sporadic increase in amount of ash inside the jet and increase in its yield. The volcano produced 3 to 15 events per day sending the columns to an altitude of 500 m to 3.7 km. Ebeko produced phreatic event erupting resurgent ash. Total volume of the erupted materials comprised about 19 thousand of tons. The event was preceded by alteration in chemical composition of fumarole gas and considerable increase in its yield caused by a new fumarole field.