В июне 2019 г. на небольшом острове-вулкане Райкоке, расположенном в центральной части Курильской дуги, произошло короткое, но сильное эксплозивное извержение, кульминационная стадия которого продолжалась 3.5 ч, высота пеплового облака достигла 13 км. Анализ серии спутниковых изображений в сочетании с наземными исследованиями позволили охарактеризовать пирокластические отложения извержения и определить масштаб их воздействия на экосистемы острова. Установлено, что извержение имело фреатомагматический субплинианский–плинианский характер.

This report provides a brief description of the field work on the Kuril Islands. It was performed within the framework of the R&D theme, projects of the RSF and the RFFR, which are realized in the laboratory of postmagmatic processes of the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology FEB RAS. Hydrological and hydrochemical works were performed on the rivers draining the slopes and thermal fields of the Sinarka, Kuntomintar volcanic massifs (Shiashkotan Island), and the Vernadsky and Karpinsky Ridges (Paramushir Island). The study of the chemical erosion of volcanic islands and the assessment of the hydrothermal export of magmatic volatiles are the goals of this work. Infrared photography was taken and the total flux of volcanic SO2 and diffusion flux of CO2 were measured on thermal fields in the caldera of Golovnin volcano. A detailed hydrogeochemical survey was made on the thermal fields of the Ebeko volcano to study the relationship of volcanic and hydrothermal activity of the volcano. For further analytical work, a large number of water and gas samples were taken and a representative collection of rocks and sediments was collected during the expedition.

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.