About Shirinki
Shirinki is a stratovolcano rising to 761 meters (2,497 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
Shirinki is located in Russia, within the Kuril Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 50.20° N, 154.98° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 761 meters above sea level, Shirinki is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Shirinki 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 Shirinki, 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 andesite / basaltic andesite, 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 small, 3-km-wide island of Shirinki, part of a chain of volcanoes west of the main Kuril Island arc, is located 15 km west of Fuss Peak on Paramushir Island. The truncated andesitic cone is of Holocene age and rises to a height of 761 m. The walls of the 750-m-wide breached summit crater extend to the southern coast. Two lava domes were constructed near the headwall of the breached crater. No historical eruptions are known from Shirinki, but the summit domes are very young and possibly formed in historical time (Gorshkov, 1970). The remnants of an older volcano occupy the eastern side of the island, much of which is covered by pumiceous pyroclastic-fall deposits.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Shirinki.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Shirinki
Is Shirinki an active volcano?+
Shirinki 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 Shirinki?+
Shirinki has a summit elevation of 761 meters (2,497 feet) above sea level. At 761 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Shirinki?+
Shirinki 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 Shirinki located?+
Shirinki is located in Russia, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Kuril Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 50.200° latitude, 154.980° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Shirinki?+
Shirinki 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.
