Alaid (Russia): Recorded Eruptions and Historical Activity

Alaid is a stratovolcano located in Russia, rising to an elevation of 2,285 meters within a subduction zone and continental crust setting greater than 25 kilometers deep. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, Alaid has a documented history of 15 confirmed eruptions spanning from the late 18th century CE to the 21st century CE.

Overview of Recorded Eruptions

The historical record for Alaid captures 15 confirmed eruptions evaluated with the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). The earliest recorded eruption in this dataset began in 1790 and ended in 1793, reaching a VEI of 4.0. The largest recorded VEI for the volcano stands at 4.0.

While the complete collection comprises 15 confirmed eruptions, representative entries illustrate the range of activity over the centuries. For instance, an eruption on the east submarine flank (Taketomi) began on November 13, 1933, and concluded on August 16, 1934, with a VEI of 2.0. Later recorded events include an eruption from April 27, 1981, to June 5, 1981 (VEI 4.0), followed by a smaller eruption on November 25, 1981 (VEI 2.0). The latest recorded eruption in the dataset began on September 10, 2022, and ended on November 26, 2022, with a VEI of 2.0. Official records indicate that this eruption is not continuing.

Eruption Distribution by Century

Recorded activity at Alaid is distributed across four centuries CE:

• 18th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
• 19th century CE: 3 confirmed eruptions
• 20th century CE: 7 confirmed eruptions
• 21st century CE: 4 confirmed eruptions