About Kamen
Kamen is a stratovolcano rising to 4,585 meters (15,043 feet) in Russia's Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Kamen is located in Russia, within the Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 56.02° N, 160.59° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subarctic climate zone. Standing at 4,585 meters above sea level, Kamen towers above the alpine zone, where vegetation gives way to bare rock, snow, and ice for much of the year. The high elevation means the upper slopes experience significantly colder temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Kamen sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in Russia near Kamen, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
GVP Reference Summary
The steep-sided Kamen stratovolcano lies at the center of a N-S chain of volcanoes, flanked by Bezymianny and Kliuchevskoi. It formed during the late Pleistocene, but activity continued into the Holocene (Melekestsev et al., 1990). A major slope failure about 1,200-1,300 years ago removed much of the eastern side of the volcano, producing a 4-6 km3 debris avalanche that traveled more than 30 km SE.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Kamen.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Kamen
Is Kamen an active volcano?+
Kamen is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Kamen?+
Kamen has a summit elevation of 4,585 meters (15,043 feet) above sea level. At 4,585 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Kamen?+
Kamen is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Kamen located?+
Kamen is located in Russia, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 56.020° latitude, 160.593° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Kamen?+
Kamen can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Russia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
