Russia’s far east is a hotspot of tectonic activity, with chains of volcanoes threading the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka Peninsula and nearby islands. Many of these peaks sit in remote, windswept terrain, but their eruptions shape local landscapes, ecosystems and aviation routes.
There are 15 Active Volcanoes in Russia, ranging from Alaid to Zhupanovsky. The list is organized with columns Region,Coordinates (lat, lon),Last eruption (year), so you can quickly compare where each volcano sits and when it last erupted, and you’ll find these details below.
How is a volcano classified as “active” on this list?
“Active” here follows common geologic practice: documented eruptions in historical times or the Holocene, recent fumarolic or seismic activity, and reports from monitoring agencies; many entries are corroborated by the Global Volcanism Program and national observatories.
Do any of these volcanoes pose immediate risks to people or air travel?
Most are in sparsely populated areas, but ash clouds and sudden eruptions can disrupt flights and local communities; check current alerts from Roshydromet, aviation SIGMETs, or the Global Volcanism Program before travel.
Active Volcanoes in Russia
| Name | Region | Coordinates (lat, lon) | Last eruption (year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klyuchevskoy | Kamchatka Krai | 56.05,160.64 | 2021 |
| Shiveluch | Kamchatka Krai | 56.65,161.36 | Historic |
| Bezymianny | Kamchatka Krai | 55.97,160.60 | Historic |
| Karymsky | Kamchatka Krai | 54.05,159.45 | Historic |
| Koryaksky | Kamchatka Krai | 53.94,158.68 | Historic |
| Avachinsky | Kamchatka Krai | 53.22,158.67 | Historic |
| Gorely | Kamchatka Krai | 52.93,158.08 | Historic |
| Mutnovsky | Kamchatka Krai | 52.37,158.26 | Historic |
| Ksudach | Kamchatka Krai | 52.99,157.78 | Historic |
| Zhupanovsky | Kamchatka Krai | 52.44,157.84 | Historic |
| Semyachik | Kamchatka Krai | 52.06,158.20 | Historic |
| Sarychev Peak | Kuril Islands | 48.07,153.23 | 2009 |
| Ebeko | Kuril Islands | 50.70,156.12 | Historic |
| Chikurachki | Kuril Islands | 50.63,155.37 | Historic |
| Alaid | Kuril Islands | 49.24,155.58 | Historic |
Images and Descriptions
Klyuchevskoy
A towering stratovolcano and Russia’s highest active volcano, Klyuchevskoy frequently erupts with basaltic lava flows and ash plumes. Notable for its symmetry and frequent large eruptions that can disrupt aviation; popular study target, remote but visible from Klyuchi.
Shiveluch
One of Kamchatka’s most active volcanoes, Shiveluch is a large stratovolcano with frequent explosive eruptions and dome growth. Its ash plumes and pyroclastic flows pose regional hazards and attract volcanologists studying dome-collapse processes and persistent unrest.
Bezymianny
A young stratovolcano in Kamchatka, Bezymianny produced a catastrophic 1955-56 eruption and continues dome growth and explosive activity. Notable for powerful pyroclastic events and ash emissions, it remains closely monitored for sudden dangerous eruptions.
Karymsky
Karymsky is an active stratovolcano in eastern Kamchatka with frequent Vulcanian eruptions and sustained gas-and-ash emissions. It ranks among Russia’s most consistently erupting centers, generating ash plumes that can affect aviation and local communities.
Koryaksky
A symmetrical stratovolcano overlooking Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Koryaksky shows fumarolic activity and rare eruptions. Its proximity to populated areas makes it notable for civil defense planning and monitoring, even when activity is moderate or intermittent.
Avachinsky
Avachinsky (Avacha) is a classic stratovolcano near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky with fumaroles and historical eruptions. Its steep slopes and scenic profile are hazards for nearby towns; it’s frequently monitored for ash and lahars after eruptions.
Gorely
Gorely is a complex volcano with multiple calderas and lava domes in southern Kamchatka. It produces both effusive and explosive eruptions, hosts geothermal fields, and is popular for scientific study and controlled tourism due to accessible craters.
Mutnovsky
Mutnovsky features a large caldera and active fumarolic fields, producing frequent steam explosions and moderate eruptions. Its dramatic steaming vents and geothermal resources draw researchers and visitors, though craters can be dangerous and restricted.
Ksudach
Ksudach is a widely studied volcanic complex with a large caldera and strong Holocene eruptions, including major explosive events. It remains notable for tephra layers, caldera lakes, and impacts on regional climate and archaeology.
Zhupanovsky
Zhupanovsky is a remote group of stratovolcanoes on southeastern Kamchatka with Holocene eruptions and fumarolic activity. Its rugged terrain and historical explosive events make it of interest to researchers but of limited tourist access.
Semyachik
Semyachik caldera complex includes multiple eruptive centers with Holocene activity, producing explosive eruptions and extensive fumarolic fields. It’s monitored for volcanic gas release and occasional ash, but its remote setting limits direct hazard to settlements.
Sarychev Peak
A steep stratovolcano on Matua Island, Sarychev Peak produced a major 2009 eruption that sent ash into international air routes. It is one of the Kurils’ most explosive volcanoes and remains closely watched by aviation authorities.
Ebeko
Ebeko, on Paramushir Island, is a frequently active andesitic volcano producing regular ash explosions and gas emissions. Its persistent activity creates local hazards and intermittent ashfall that affect nearby settlements and shipping.
Chikurachki
Chikurachki is the highest volcano of Paramushir Island, often ejecting ash and lava in Strombolian to Vulcanian activity. Its eruptions can produce ash clouds that disrupt shipping and occasional impacts to nearby villages.
Alaid
Alaid is the highest and most symmetric volcano of the Kuril Islands, forming a prominent cone on Atlasov Island. Known for explosive Holocene eruptions, it is a striking landmark and a potential source of dangerous ash and pyroclastic flows.
