Isotope-geochemical material for Pliocene-Quaternary volcanoes of the Kamchatka region is generalized on a cartographic basis. The Sr-isotope anomalies of moderate and elevated radiogenicity, geochemically confirmed, are spatially conjugated. This made it possible to interpret these anomalies not only as a reflection of mantle plume material in the composition of volcanic rocks, but also of its hybrid environment, as a consequence of plum-lithosphere remobilization. The presence of multi-directional geochemical trends made it possible to propose the concept of moving boundary values for the composition of indicator rocks of the intraplate type and adakites, which significantly expanded the possibilities of their diagnostics. The isotope-geochemical heterogeneity of basaltoids of the region is generally determined by the peculiarities of concentration of rocks with intraplate and adakite geochemical characteristics, which allows considering the asthenospheric diapirism as the main factor of petrogenesis of Pliocene-Quaternary volcanism in Kamchatka.

Three stages of study of active and potentially active volcanoes on Kamchatka and the Kurile Islands were distinguished: the anterior stage (1700-1935), the new stage (1935-1962) and the recent stage (from 1962 till present time).
This paper provides a new, for the first time scientifically based term of «active volcano». Updated catalogues display active and potentially active volcanoes of Kamchatka and the Kurile Islands. Here we propose a long-term forecast of behavior and parameters of impending eruptions and related volcanic hazards for the typical volcanoes of the 1st and the 2nd stages of evolution.

The devestating explosive eruptions at Khangar (about 7000 14C BP), Khodutkinskiy "maar" (about 2800 14C BP), and Baraniy Amphitheater (about 1500 14C BP) are classified into a special type, subcaldera eruptions. They were analogues of caldera-forming eruptions by their dynamics, erupted volume (1.5-15 km^3), aspect, facies family, and the composition {from dacites to rhyolites) of the pyroclastics, but were not followed by the development of collapse calderas whose cavity volumes would fit the volume of discharge pyroclastics when converted to solid rock (magma). The discrepancy between a "caldera-like" aspect of the pyroclastics and the type of erupting vent can probably be explained by the greal depths of reservoirs of silicic magma which were "galvanized" when hot basaltic magma was injected into them. A subcaldera eruption usually began with a violent discharge of tephra, much greater in volume than the other volcanic products, to be followed by the formation of pyroclastic flows associated with pyrociastic surges. This sequence of events repeated itself several times during the eruption. No major explosion breccias were formed. Intensive ashfall involved areas of n * 10^4 ... n * 10^5 km^2, so that dated tephra beds have been excellent regional marker horizons. Subcaldera eruptions are hypothesized to have influenced the Earth's climate and are reflected as synchronous acid peaks in the Greenland glacier shield.

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 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.

The monograph is devoted to the spatio-temporal activation of Holocene volcanism within the Miocene-Quaternary volcanic zone of the Sredinny Range of Kamchatka. The pattern of volcanic activation, grouping elements and periodic pulses of endogenous activity, as well as their chronological relationship with episodes of endogenous activity increasing of the North Pacific. The characteristics of individual volcanic centers and the largest eruptions are provided. Age determinations of eruptions are based on detailed tephrochronological research and extensive radiocarbon dating.
For a wide range of professionals in the field of geology, geochronology, volcanology, petrology, geography,
geomorphology, paleoclimatology, ecology and geobotany.

Numerous Holocene volcanic centres (5 stratovolcanoes, including 4 active and potentially dangerous, and 12 monogenetic centres) are discovered within Sredinny Range of Kamchatka. Their exact ages are determined. Spatial and temporal characteristics, as well as composition of Holocene volcanic rocks witness against direct connection of magma genesis with contemporary Pacific plate subduction. Sub-meridional chronological trends and elements of grouping, identified for Holocene volcanic activity of Sredinny Range of Kamchatka, may indicate seismo-geodynamical nature of young volcanic activity and associated with it advection in the extinct island arc system.