About Tunkin Depression
Tunkin Depression is a volcanic field rising to 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) in Russia's Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Tunkin Depression is located in Russia, within the Baikal Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 51.50° N, 102.50° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level, Tunkin Depression is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
The Tunkin Depression volcanic field (also known as the Tunka Depression) covers a broad area immediately west of the SW tip of Lake Baikal. The Khobok group of basaltic cinder cones near the village of Tunka, one of five groups of cinder cones characterized by some sources as late-Pleistocene to Holocene in age, has the largest concentration of vents. Drill cores show that the upper 500 m of the basin is filled with Quaternary tuffs and a dozen lava flows; subsidence continues, partially burying volcanic features. Other cinder cones of probable Pleistocene age are located to the SE in the Khamar-Dayan Range. The youngest cinder cones and lava flows are in the NE part of the Tunkin Depression. A regional review by Ivanov et al. (2015) mapped volcanism in this area as Pleistocene.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Tunkin Depression.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Tunkin Depression
Is Tunkin Depression an active volcano?+
Tunkin Depression is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Tunkin Depression?+
Tunkin Depression has a summit elevation of 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) above sea level. At 1,200 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Tunkin Depression?+
Tunkin Depression is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Tunkin Depression located?+
Tunkin Depression is located in Russia, in the Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Baikal Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 51.500° latitude, 102.500° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Tunkin Depression?+
Tunkin Depression 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.
