The volcanoes Plosky Tolbachik (3085 m) and Ostry Tolbachik (3682 m) are located at the southern end of the Klyuchevskoy volcano group. Excursion to Plosky Tolbachik and to the eruption of the Tolbachik Volcano (1975 -1976 eruption) is made by a truck from the village Kozyrevsk to the seismic observatory Vodopadnaya, located at the height of 800 m on the volcano slope. The path to the top of the Volcano runs through the lava flow and bomb field formed in 1941 during side eruption of Plosky Tolbachik. You will be amazed by the view of moon landscapes - these are the areas of modern volcanism. And by the way, it is exactly here, where the first lunar rover was tested by Russian scientists. The area of Tolbachik was chosen for its incredible similarity with the Moon landscape. Volcanologists will share with great pleasure their knowledge about Tolbachik Volcanoes` eruptions, their post-volcanic activity and products of volcanic eruptions. This tour requires neither special training nor alpine equipment. Do not miss this unique opportunity to explore volcanoes of Kamchatka!

    Plosky Tolbachik, Ostry Tolbachik Volcanoes and the adjacent North Tolbachinsky plateau are located in the southernmost part of the Kliuchevskoy group of volcanoes. An excursion to Plosky Tolbachik (3085 m) and to the Northern breakthrough (1975 eruption) will be carried out using a truck from Kozyrevsk village to the seismic observatory Vodopadnaya which is located on the slopes of Tolbachik Volcanoes at an elevation of 800 m. Kozyrevsk - Vodopadnyaya station - 53 km, time to get to by truck - 3-5 hours. Stops will be made in the most interesting places during the truck-trip. After the arrival at the camp, the group has a rest, lunch and, in an hour, makes a backpack trip to the radial dykes of Ostry Tolbachik and to the lava flow of 1941 breakthrough. The next day, after breakfast, the group of geologists is going to Plosky Tolbachik Volcano (3085 m) by truck to an elevation of 1500 m. Then climb the gentle slope from an altitude of 1500 m to the volcano crater (4-5 hours). The climb will be made along the lava flows of Plosky Tolbachik Volcano and, in the upper part, along its pyroclastic deposits, from wihch the unique samples of megaplagiophiric lapilli may be taken. Approaching the volcano summit, the group will be able to see thick glacier deposits with tephra interbeds. Descent to the truck will be made after having lunch at the volcano top. If the weather is not sunny and clear, a truck-trip to the Northern breakthrough of the Large Tolbachik Fissure will be taken.
    A trip to the eruption of 1975-76 will be organized. The route lies along an axial part of the the regional zone of slag domes formed in Holocene. The length of chains of the new domes is 3 km, the biggest relative height of the dome's 300 m. The route (about 15 km) crosses volcanogenic complexes of different age that are represented by various basalt types. The view may remind you of a lunar landscape. Famous photographer Vadim Gippenreiter has made many of his pictures there. Slag domes consist of welted interlayers of volcanic bombs and tephra. Numerous lava flows originated at the base of the domes. Presently, intensive fumarolic activity takes place at the summit area of the domes where new minerals are formed. Scientists of the Institute of Volcanology have already discovered here 16 new chemical compounds and minerals. If free time is available, a trucktrip to the Southern Tolbachik breakthrough of 1975 would be arranged. It will take 2-3 hours to get the Southern breakthrough by foot from the road, and 3-4 hours to come back. During the trip, the group will cross several lava flows. They will be able to become acquainted with the unique deposit of lapilli of phenocrysts of plagioclase with size up to 5 cm. The participants should have hiking boots, wind-resistant jackets, and wool sweaters, as well as sleeping bags. The route goes along ash and fumarolic fields and fresh lava flows.

Dr. S.A. Khubunaya