Sheveluch is a stratovolcano located in Russia at an elevation of 3,283 meters, situated within a subduction zone on continental crust over 25 kilometers thick. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the volcano has a rich documented record spanning thousands of years, comprising 102 confirmed eruptions.
The official record documents activity ranging from prehistoric events determined through tephrochronology (the study of tephra layers in geological strata) to historical events documented by direct human observation. The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Sheveluch reaches 5.0.
Overview of Recorded Eruptions
The earliest recorded eruption in the official dataset dates back to approximately 8500 BCE (with a start year modifier indicating uncertainty). The historical catalog includes numerous eruptions distributed across centuries BCE and CE. Prehistoric events, such as those estimated around 6000 BCE and 1010 BCE, were identified using tephrochronology correlation methods.
As observational methods advanced, reported accounts entered the record. For example, a confirmed eruption with a VEI of 5.0 was documented with a start date of February 18, 1854, using reported observations. More recent records include an eruption sequence that began on August 15, 1999, and concluded on March 25, 2026. The profile's last-known eruption year is listed as 2026, while the latest structured individual eruption start date in the confirmed eruption collection is August 15, 1999 (with the corresponding period extending through March 25, 2026).
Understanding the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI)
The Volcanic Explosivity Index is a relative scale used to measure the explosiveness of volcanic eruptions based on factors such as volume of products ejected and eruption height. At Sheveluch, 101 eruptions feature recorded VEI classifications, with the maximum observed intensity reaching a VEI of 5.0.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Sheveluch located?
Sheveluch is located in Russia.
How many eruptions have been recorded at Sheveluch?
Sheveluch has 102 confirmed eruptions recorded in the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program database.
When did the earliest recorded eruption occur?
The earliest recorded eruption in the dataset dates back to 8500 BCE.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Sheveluch?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Sheveluch is 5.0.
Image credits
- JPSS imagery: CSU/CIRA & NOAA/NESDIS — Wikimedia Commons source — Public domain
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.