Mendeleyeva

Mendeleyeva is a stratovolcano located on Kunashir Island with two nested calderas, where the larger crater spans roughly 7 kilometers across. Multiple lava domes rise within the northern section of the main caldera, creating an uneven volcanic landscape.

The volcano experienced its last recorded eruption in 1880, a minor phreatic event that released steam and hot water rather than large amounts of lava. Since that time, it has remained dormant while retaining active geothermal features.

The volcano is named after Dmitry Mendeleev, the Russian chemist who created the periodic table in the 1800s. This choice reflects how Russia honors its scientific contributions through geographic landmarks.

Four geothermal fields on the eastern and northern slopes offer visitors a chance to observe steam vents and hot springs in action. Plan enough time to explore both the caldera interior and the surrounding geothermal zones on the slopes.

The Goriachy Pliazh geothermal field sits along the eastern coast outside the main caldera, creating a unique landscape where hot springs meet the ocean. This coastal position makes it a rare spot to watch geothermal activity where it directly touches the sea.