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Giant Volcano Eruption Continues In KamcHatka
PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, February 9 (RIA Novosti) - The gas and ash trail of the Kluchevskoi volcano erupting in Kamchatka stretches for over a hundred kilometers. According to the Kamchatka experimental seismological center, the trail can be clearly seen in satellite shots provided by the Alaska volcano observatory. Lava masses are flowing along the western slope of the volcano, its temperature reaching about 1,100 degrees Celsius. The sharply changing temperature added to the snow and ice causes powerful phreatic explosions discharging ash. Lava fountains and volcanic bomb blasts can be seen at the summit crater. According to experts, the lava flowing down the Kluchevskoi slopes will inevitably give way to powerful mudflows that are usually 500 meters wide at the front and are flowing east of the Klyuchi village 30 km away from the foot of the volcano. The mudflows carrying huge stones with a diameter of up to three meters and tree trunks pose a serious threat to people and equipment on their way. The Kluchevskoi volcano, the highest in Eurasia (4,822 meters high), began erupting on January 17. I have seen a marked increased in volcanic activity over the last couple of weeks. I have no idea what it mean and I pretty sure nobody else does. What I do know is that major volcanic eruptions occur quite frequently - every hundred years or so. Posted by: phil_b 2005-02-10 |
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