Throughout the centuries some volcanoes They have caused devastating effects on the planet, causing the death of millions of people, destroying populations and destroying beautiful natural environments. Still, these conduits that connect the Earth's surface with the deepest levels on the planet are tremendously beautiful.
If you are also fascinated by volcanoes, you will not be able to miss anything of what we tell you below. And it is that today we move to one of the most impressive volcanic regions on the planet. We are referring to the Kamchatka Peninsula, in Russia, where a great variety of them are concentrated, some in activity. In addition, this place is home to other amazing natural formations. Will you accompany us to discover this Russian territory? You will not regret!
Location and extent
The Kamchatka Peninsula is located in Siberia, eastern Russia, and has a length of 1,250 kilometers and an area of 472,300 square kilometers. With these dimensions, you will not be surprised that it is considered one of the largest wilderness areas on the planet. The peninsula is practically intact and, fortunately, free from commercial tourism. In fact, to visit the area it is practically essential to hire the services of a travel agency. Interestingly, its capital, Petropavlovsk, is closer to Tokyo and Seattle than to Moscow, the capital of Russia. On the other hand, it must be borne in mind that the area was prohibited to foreigners until the 1990s. Fortunately, this isolation has helped to preserve the place.
The volcanoes
How could it be otherwise, the volcanic area of the peninsula is World Heritage from UNESCO, a mention it received in 1997. Of the more than 160 volcanoes, around 30 are active, which is not surprising, since the peninsula is in the so-called Ring of Fire, an area of high seismic activity located on the Pacific coast. In fact, since Russian explorers arrived in the area 3 centuries ago, more than 600 eruptions have been recorded in the area. Kamchatka's largest active volcano is the Kliuchevski, which reaches 4,750 meters. On the other hand, we want to highlight the Valley of Death, located at the foot of the Kichpinych, where poisonous gases are concentrated at different times, which can be very dangerous. Nor do we want to forget the Uzon caldera, the bottom of an ancient volcano, where you can find steaming lakes and hothouses of mud. One of the most surprising things about the area is that it is constantly changing, being able to find new volcanoes and lakes from time to time.
Other places of interest
As we mentioned at the beginning, volcanoes are not the only thing worth visiting in the area. The Valley of the GeysersFor example, it is an interesting area to discover. In fact, after Yellowstone National Park, in the United States, it is the largest concentration of these nature formations. A visit to Esso, a town with numerous hot springs, is also recommended. Of course, it should not be forgotten that some 10,000 brown bears, numerous salmon, eagles, Steller's eagles live on the Kamchatka Peninsula… In addition, during the winter months many skiers come to the area to practice skiing in free fall.
Not suitable for backpackers
Finally, we want to warn you that this is not a recommended place for backpackers, since to get to many areas it is necessary to travel by helicopter, an option that is quite expensive. In addition, all excursions in the area require physical preparation, since you have to walk for many hours. Then we leave you with our Gallery, where you will find more images of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Do not miss it!
Avachinsky: Spectacular volcanoes and hot springs (April 2024)
- Siberia, volcanoes
- 1,230
