Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Active stratovolcano in Ust-Kamchatsky District, Russia
Klyuchevskaya Sopka is an active stratovolcano in the Ust-Kamchatsky District of Kamchatka that rises to 4800 meters (15748 feet). The mountain consists of multiple layers of andesite built up through repeated eruptions over millennia, forming a nearly symmetrical cone.
The volcano formed roughly 6000 years ago and has remained active without any long pauses since then. Scientists record regular eruptions that have shaped the surrounding territory over centuries.
People living in the surrounding villages refer to the peak simply as Kljuchina and watch its smoking summit as a familiar part of their daily horizon. Hunters and fishermen have used its cone as a landmark for generations when traveling across the peninsula.
Visitors need official permits and experienced mountain guides to approach the summit area. Spring usually offers more stable weather and clearer views of the smoking crater.
The November 2023 eruption sent ash up to 13 kilometers into the sky and affected daily routines in the nearby towns of Ust-Kamchatsk and Klyuchy. Residents of these settlements have learned to cope with regular ashfall and protect their homes accordingly.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
