84 years ago, a human foot first set foot in the Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka
On July 25, 1941, employees of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve – geomorphologist Tatiana Ustinova and senior observer Anisifor Krupenin – made their first descent into the soaring gorge of an unknown warm river, which was later named Geyser River, Kamchatka.Today reports.
They discovered a canyon with dozens of fumaroles, geysers and pulsating springs the day before, on July 24. And the first geyser of the Valley, which was later named Perventz, was opened on April 14, 1941.
The researchers immediately noticed that the largest concentration of geysers, pulsating springs, and steam jet outlets was concentrated in one place – on the slope (wall), which later became known as the Stained Glass Window. This cluster of hydrothermal manifestations is also called a geyser ensemble.
The discoverers set up a tent under a 300-year-old stone birch tree and for three days described the objects of the valley of the Geysernaya River. It was dangerous to stay there any longer, as the snow had thoroughly melted.
On August 9, 1941, Tatiana Ustinova and Anisifor Krupenin returned from their momentous campaign. It was on this day that the announcement of the opening was transmitted by radio to Moscow.
“The valley of geysers in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve is rightfully considered the hallmark of Kamchatka. This is one of the main points of attraction for tourists from all over the world. Up to 10,000 travelers visit it annually. Fifteen hundred guests have already visited the Valley this season,” said Anna Narab, Deputy director of the reserve.
The Valley of geysers has become one of the largest geographical discoveries of the twentieth century.
Photos by Liana Varavskaya, Yuri Averin, Valentin Spichak, Igor Shpilenka, Denis Yevgrafov, Vladimir Omelin.