Ksudach Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia: Image of the Day

Some of the world's most active volcanoes make up the spine of the Kamchatka Peninsula in far east Russia. Kamchatka is the northwestern edge of the Pacific ''ring of fire,'' where earthquakes and volcanism are caused by ongoing subduction of the Pacific oceanic plate beneath the Eurasian plate. This astronaut photograph profiles the summit area of Ksudach Volcano, also called Voniuchi Khrebet Volcano, in southern Kamchatka. White snow on the ridges in this image contrasts with the dark volcanic soils and highlights the well-developed radial drainage pattern down the slopes of the volcano. The summit area comprises overlapping calderas. Stubel Crater, located in the northern portion of the caldera complex, was the locus of the most recent eruption of the volcano, in 1907. The 1907 eruption of Ksudach Volcano is one of the largest ever recorded in Kamchatka. Two lakes, Klyuchevoye and Shtyubela, are located within calderas at the summit of Ksudach. These lakes, along with hot springs and the surrounding wilderness, make the Ksudach Volcano region a popular trekking destination. In the event of renewed volcanic activity, its remote location minimizes its potential hazard to humans.