KVERT reported that during 10-14 January seismic activity at Karymsky was above background levels and ash-and-gas explosions possibly occurred; seismic activity was not evaluated on 8 and 9 January due to technical issues. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed a thermal anomaly in the crater during 8-12 and 14-15 January. Gas-and-steam plumes drifted 25 km SE and NE on 8 and 12 January.

Based on analysis of satellite imagery and information from the Yelizovo Airport (UHPP), the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 16 January an ash plume rose to an altitude of 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.

Geological Summary. Karymsky, the most active volcano of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone, is a symmetrical stratovolcano constructed within a 5-km-wide caldera that formed during the early Holocene. The caldera cuts the south side of the Pleistocene Dvor volcano and is located outside the north margin of the large mid-Pleistocene Polovinka caldera, which contains the smaller Akademia Nauk and Odnoboky calderas. Most seismicity preceding Karymsky eruptions originated beneath Akademia Nauk caldera, located immediately south. The caldera enclosing Karymsky formed about 7600-7700 radiocarbon years ago; construction of the stratovolcano began about 2000 years later. The latest eruptive period began about 500 years ago, following a 2300-year quiescence. Much of the cone is mantled by lava flows less than 200 years old. Historical eruptions have been vulcanian or vulcanian-strombolian with moderate explosive activity and occasional lava flows from the summit crater.

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)