About Elbrus
Elbrus is a stratovolcano rising to 5,642 meters (18,511 feet) in Russia's Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 50 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Elbrus is located in Russia, within the Caucasus Volcanic Province of the broader Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 43.35° N, 42.44° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At 5,642 meters above sea level, Elbrus reaches well into the permanent snow and ice zone. Glaciers and snowpack on the upper slopes create the potential for lahars — destructive volcanic mudflows — during eruptions, as heat rapidly melts ice and snow. 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
Elbrus is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Elbrus tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Russia more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is dacite, an intermediate to silica-rich volcanic rock. This composition typically produces more viscous magma, leading to more explosive eruptions with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Andesitic and dacitic magmas build pressure before erupting, which is why volcanoes with this rock chemistry are often associated with Plinian-style eruptions that can send ash tens of kilometers into the atmosphere and disrupt aviation across entire regions.
Eruption History Summary
Elbrus has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 50 CE to 50 CE.
GVP Reference Summary
Elbrus, the highest peak of the Caucasus Mountains of SW Russia, is a large glaciated stratovolcano. The summit area has two distinct peaks about 1 km apart, with a 250-m-wide crater on the eastern cone, separated by a low saddle from the western peak. Eruptive products cover 260 km2; its longest lava flow traveled 24 km down the NNE flank. Vlodavetz (in Blumenthal et al., 1964, CAVW) hypothesized that the most recent lava flows were 2,000-3,000 years old based on morphological appearance. Gushchenko (1979) noted explosive activity and a lava flow across a glacial moraine, and dated it at around 2,000 years ago. Weak solfataric activity has been reported near the summit, and hot springs are present on the flanks.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Elbrus
Is Elbrus an active volcano?+
Elbrus is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 50 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Elbrus last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Elbrus occurred in 50 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Elbrus has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Elbrus?+
Elbrus has a summit elevation of 5,642 meters (18,511 feet) above sea level. At 5,642 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Elbrus?+
Elbrus 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 Elbrus located?+
Elbrus is located in Russia, in the Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Caucasus Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 43.351° latitude, 42.442° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Elbrus?+
Elbrus 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.
