Effusive Eruption of Snow Volcano in 2012–2016 (Chirpoy Island, Kuril Islands)

In 2012–2016, Snow Volcano on Chirpoy Island (Chyornye Bratya Islands, Kuril Islands) underwent a relatively rare event for the Kuril Island Arc such as a flank effusive eruption. Over a period of 3.5 years, a clastic andesitic lava flow poured from a parasitic cone on the southeastern slope of the volcano. The current total area of the lava bed and clastic material that resulted from its subsequent destruction is 854 100 m2, including 502 100 m2 on the slope of the volcano and 352 000 m2 on the shelf adjacent to the island. Specific landforms were formed, such as lava deltas and volcanic beaches. The total volume of lava poured out as a result of the eruption reached ∼0.043 km3. Similar eruptions occurred on Chirpoy Island twice in historical time (the penultimate eruption occurred 133 years ago). The clastic lava flows poured out onto the adjacent shelf led to the island land growth.