This study is concerned with the structure of Nemo III caldera which came into being 24.500-25.000 B.P. in the north of Onekotan Island, Northern Kurils. We describe the pyroclastics of the caldera- generating eruption sequence, and estimate its volume (9-11 km3) and weight (12-14) * 10^9 t. The composition of juvenile products was found to vary in an antidromous manner during the eruptions from dacytes to basaltic andesites. The pre-caldera rocks and the pyroclastics of the caldera-generating eruption belong to the tholeiitic series, while the post-caldera rocks to the calc-alkalic. Evidence was found in the pumice discharged by the terminal eruption to indicate mixed magmas of dacyte and basaltic andesite (basaltic?) composition. The caldera-generating eruption sequence is supposed to have been caused by a "fresh" basic magma injected into a pre-existing acid magma chamber produced by fractionation of the magma which had been supplied to the pre-caldera volcanic structures.

The actual collective monograph presents the results of both theoretical and experimental studies of the multi-disciplinary problem on volcanic hazard assessment and development of techniques for prediction of catastophic eruptions. The volcanism of Kamchatka and other regions of Russia has been analyzed. On the basis of geological, volcanological and tephrachronological studies including radiocarbon dating, there have been defined certain groups of volcanoes on different stages of evolution. At the same time the problem of determination of the internal structure of volcanic dome using modem theoretical methods and technologies is well investigated. The new techniques of estimation of volcanic hazard were developed. Whenever ti is required, theoretical approaches are confirmed by results of in-field observations.

The book will satisfy the needs of Earth sciences specialists from a variety of backgrounds, volcanology, geo-mechanics, ecology, industrial constuction applications and hazard assessment.