The Kamchatka Region

The Russian landscape stretches for what seems like forever across our planet. This vast area of land is home to one of the most dynamic and unique geographical regions in Russia; the Kamchatka Peninsula. With a population around 322,079, it is located in the far east of Russia and is home to the 2nd largest geyser field in the world. This diverse peninsula also boasts an amazing 16- volcanoes, with 29 of them being active.

The largest volcano in Europe and Asia combined! (Image courtesy of: Tamten at cs.wikipedia)

One of the more interesting volcanoes in the region is the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano. What a picturesque volcano! Part of a chain of volcanoes declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, its 4750 km high and is the largest volcano in Eurasia. It is a basaltic strato/composite volcano. They are common in subduction zones, which are formed when an oceanic plate moves under continental crust. The first known eruption was in 1697, and it's still active to this day. It's last major eruption was in 2007, I'm glad I was nowhere near there!

Valley of the Geysers (image courtesy of: Robert Nunn, Flickr)

Aside from the record setting volcanoes, the peninsula is also home to the world famous Valley of the Geysers. The basin has 90 geysers and springs. These geysers were formed when surface water comes in contact with magma and hot rocks. Unfortunately, in 2007, a landside triggered by an earthquake buried about two-thirds of the valley, however many of them are active today. I'd love to visit there one day. I wonder if they'll me swim in the hot springs!

Resources: http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1000-26%3D

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9044464/Kamchatka-Peninsula

http://www.indiana.edu/~sierra/papers/2008/pluchinsky.pdf