A team of Russian scientists is conducting a high-risk expedition on the active Avachinsky volcano in Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula, investigating changes in its activity following a recent series of earthquakes. The mission highlights the perilous conditions researchers face to understand and monitor geological threats in one of the world’s most volcanically active regions.
The volcanologists, from the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, are collecting samples from the volcano’s East fumarole field—vents that release a constant stream of volcanic gas and steam. This follow-up study was prompted by a swarm of earthquakes in July, which led to a visible increase in gas emissions. Scientists hypothesize that the seismic activity may have altered the chemical composition deep within the volcano, a change they hope to detect by analyzing rare elements embedded in the newly formed volcanic sulfur.
The environment where the team is working is exceptionally hazardous. Recent measurements revealed that concentrations of toxic sulfur dioxide in the air were over 1,300 times the maximum single-exposure safety limit, posing a severe risk to the respiratory system. Even more alarming, levels of hydrogen sulfide, a potent nerve gas, were measured at more than 36,000 times the established safe threshold.
Beyond the poisonous atmosphere, the ground itself presents a life-threatening danger. Surface temperatures at the edge of the fumarole field reach 200 degrees Celsius (392°F), escalating to a staggering 500 degrees Celsius (932°F) near the center of the vents. Operating in such extreme conditions requires mandatory use of specialized personal protective equipment, including industrial-grade respirators with filters designed to block the cocktail of deadly gases.
The results of this daring fieldwork will be determined after comparing the new samples with those collected in 2023. This comparison could provide crucial insights into the volcano’s evolving state and help assess potential future hazards. The data gathered is vital for understanding the intricate link between seismic events and volcanic behavior.