Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dendrogeomorphic reconstruction of lahar activity and triggers: Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Bulletin of Volcanology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Lahars are highly concentrated, water-saturated volcanic hyperconcentrated flows or debris flows containing pyroclastic material and are a characteristic mass movement process on volcanic slopes. On Kamchatka Peninsula (Russian Federation), lahars are widespread and may affect remote settlements. Historical records of past lahar occurrences are generally sparse and mostly limited to events which damaged infrastructure on the slopes or at the foot of volcanoes. In this study, we present a tree-ring-based reconstruction of spatiotemporal patterns of past lahar activity at Shiveluch volcano. Using increment cores and cross sections from 126 Larix cajanderi trees, we document 34 events covering the period AD 1729–2012. Analyses of the seasonality of damage in trees reveal that 95% of all lahars occurred between October and May and thus point to the predominant role of the sudden melt of the snow cover by volcanic material. These observations suggest that most lahars were likely syn-eruptive and that lahar activity is largely restricted to periods of volcanic activity. By contrast, rainfall events do not seem to play a significant role in lahar triggering.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adveiko GP, Savelyev DP, Palueva AA, Popruzhenko SV (2007) Evolution of the Kurile-Kamchatkan volcanic arcs and dynamics of the Kamchatka-Aleutian junction. In: Eichelberger J, Gordeev E, Izbekov P, Kasahara M, Lees J (eds) Volcanism and subduction: the Kamchatka Region. Geophysical Monograph 172, AGU, Washington, pp 37–55. doi:10.1029/GM172

  • Alestalo J (1971) Dendrochronological interpretation of geomorphic processes. 105. Societas Geographica Fenniae, pp 1–139

  • Arbellay E, Stoffel M, Sutherland EK, Smith KT, Falk DA (2014) Resin duct size and density as ecophysiological traits in fire scars of Pseudotsuga menziesii and Larix occidentalis. Ann Bot 114:973–980

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballesteros-Canovas JA, Stoffel M, Bollschweiler M, Bodoque del Pozo JM, Díez-Herrero A (2010a) Flash-flood impacts cause changes in wood anatomy of Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus angustifolia and Quercus pyrenaica. Tree Physiol 30:773–781

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballesteros-Canovas JA, Stoffel M, Bodoque del Pozo JM, Bollschweiler M, Hitz OM, Diez-Herrero A (2010b) Changes in wood anatomy in tree rings of Pinus pinaster Ait. following wounding by flash floods. Tree-Ring Research 66:93–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballesteros-Cánovas JA, Stoffel M, St George S, Hirschboeck K (2015a) A review of flood records from tree rings. Prog Phys Geogr 39(6):794–816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballesteros-Cánovas JA, Czajka B, Janecka K, Lempa M, Kaczka RJ, Stoffel M (2015b) Flash floods in Tatra Mountain streams: frequency and triggers. Sci Total Environ 511:639–648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belousov A, Belousova M, Voight B (1999) Multiple edifice failures, debris avalanches and associated eruptions in the Holocene history of Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Bull Volcanol 61(5):324–342. doi:10.1007/s004450050300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bollschweiler M, Stoffel M, Ehmisch M, Monbaron M (2007) Reconstructing spatio-temporal patterns of debris-flow activity using dendrogeomorphological methods. Geomorphology 87:337–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bollschweiler M, Stoffel M, Schneuwly DM, Bourqui K (2008) Traumatic resin ducts in Larix decidua stems impacted by debris flows. Tree Physiol 28:255–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bollschweiler M, Stoffel M, Vazquez-Selem L, Palacios D (2010) Tree-ring reconstruction of past lahar activity at Popocatepetl volcano, Mexico. The Holocene 20(2):265–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borga M, Stoffel M, Marchi L, Marra F, Jakob M (2014) Hydrogeomorphic response to extreme rainfall in headwater systems: flash floods and debris flows. J Hydrol 518:194–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braam RR, Weiss EEJ, Burrough PA (1987) Dendrogeomorphological analysis of mass movement. A technical note on the research method. Catena 14:585–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braitseva OA, Melekestsev IV (1990) Eruptive history of Karymsky volcano, Kamchatka, USSR, based on tephra stratigraphy and 14C dating. Bull Volcanol 53:195–206. doi:10.1007/BF00301230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braitseva OA, Sulerzhitsky LD, Litasova SN, Melekestsev IV, Ponomareva VV (1993) Radiocarbon dating and tephrochronology in Kamchatka. Radiocarbon 35(3):463–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braitseva OA, Ponomareva VV, Sulerzhitsky LD, Melekestsev IV, Bailey J (1997) Holocene key-marker tephra layers in Kamchatka, Russia. Quat Res 47:125–139. doi:10.1006/qres.1996.1876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chernomorets SS, Seynova IB (2010) Debris flows on volcanoes. A tutorial. Faculty of geography, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow (in Russian)

  • Corona C, Rovéra G, Lopez Saez J, Stoffel M, Perfettini P (2010) Spatio-temporal reconstruction of snow avalanche activity using tree rings: Jean Jeanne avalanche talus, Massif de l’Oisans, France. Catena 83:107–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corona C, Lopez Saez J, Stoffel M, Bonnefoy M, Richard D, Astrade L, Berger F (2012) How much of the real avalanche activity can be captured with tree rings? An evaluation of classic dendrogeomorphic approaches and comparison with historical archives. Cold Reg Sci Technol 74–75:31–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corona C, Trappmann D, Stoffel M (2013a) Parameterization of rockfall source areas and magnitudes with ecological recorders: when disturbances in trees serve the calibration and validation of simulation runs. Geomorphology 202:33–42. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.02.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corona C, Lopez Saez J, Stoffel M, Rovéra G, Edouard JP, Berger F (2013b) Seven centuries of avalanche activity at Echalp (Queyras massif, southern French Alps) as inferred from tree rings. The Holocene 23(2):292–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dirksen O, Humphreys MCS, Pletchov P, Melnik O, Demyanchuk Y, Sparks RSJ, Mahony S (2006) The 2001-2004 dome-forming eruption of Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka: observation, petrological investigation and numerical modelling. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 155:201–226. doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2006.03.029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dirksen O, van den Bogaard C, Danhara T, Diekmann B (2011) Tephrochronological investigation at Dvuh-yurtochnoe lake area, Kamchatka: numerous landslides and lake tsunami, and their environmental impacts. Quat Int 246:298–311. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2011.08.032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franco-Ramos O, Stoffel M, Vazquez-Selem L, Capra L (2013) Spatio-temporal reconstruction of lahars on the southern slopes of Colima Volcano, Mexico—a dendrogeomorphic approach. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 267:30–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franco-Ramos O, Stoffel M, Vázquez-Selem L (2016) Tree-ring based record of intra-eruptive lahar activity: Axaltzintle valley, Malinche volcano. Geochronometria, Mexico

    Google Scholar 

  • Girina OA, Nuzhdaev AA (2014) On some features peculiar to the September 22, 2005 eruption of Young Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka. J Volcanol Seismol 8(4):218–227. doi:10.1134/S0742046314040034

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Girina OA, Melnikov DV, Manevich AG, Demyanchuk YuV, Nuzhdaev AA, Petrova E (2016) Kamchatka and North Kurile Volcano explosive eruptions in 2015 and danger to aviation. Geophysical Research Abstracts 18, doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.5179.4001

  • Gorbach NV, Portnyagin MV (2011) Geology and petrology of the lava complex of Young Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka. Petrology 19(2):134–166. doi:10.1134/S0869591111020068

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gorbach NV, Portnyagin MV, Tembrel I (2013) Volcanic structure and composition of Old Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 263:193–208. doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.12.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gorshkov GS, Dubik YM (1970) Gigantic directed blast at Shiveluch volcano (Kamchatka). Bull Volcanol 34(1):261–288. doi:10.1007/BF02597790

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones V, Solomina O (2015) The geography of Kamchatka. Glob Planet Chang 134:3–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hupp CR (1984) Dendrogeomorphic evidence of debris flow frequency and magnitude at Mount Shasta, California. Environ Geol Water Sci 6(2):121–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kogelnig-Mayer B, Stoffel M, Schneuwly-Bollschweiler M, Huebl J, Rudolf-Miklau F (2011) Possibilities and limitations of dendrogeomorphic time-series reconstructions on sites influenced by debris flows and frequent snow avalanche activity. Arct Antarct Alp Res 43(4):649–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krestov PV, Omelko AM, Nakamura Y (2008) Vegetation and natural habitats of Kamchatka. Ber d Reinh-Tüxen-Ges 20:195–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez Saez J, Corona C, Stoffel M, Astrade L, Berger F, Malet JP (2012) Dendrogeomorphic reconstruction of past landslide reactivation with seasonal precision: the Bois Noir landslide, southeast French Alps. Landslides 9:189–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer B, Stoffel M, Bollschweiler M, Hübl J, Rudolf-Miklau F (2010) Frequency and spread of debris floods on fans: a dendrogeomorphic case-study from a dolomite catchment in the Austrian Alps. Geomorphology 118:199–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melekestsev IV, Volynets ON, Ermakov VA, Kirsanova TP, YuP M (1991) Shiveluch volcano. In: Fedotov SA, YuP M (eds) Active volcanoes of Kamchatka. Nauka, Moscow, pp. 84–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Morel P, Trappmann D, Corona C, Stoffel M (2015) Defining sample size and sampling strategy for dendrogeomorphic rockfall reconstructions. Geomorphology 236:79–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pierson TC (2007) Dating young geomorphic surfaces using age of colonizing Douglas fir in southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon, USA. Earth Surf Process Landf 32(6):811–831

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ponomareva VV, Pevzner MM, Melekestsev IV (1998) Large debris avalanches and associated eruptions in the Holocene eruptive history of Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Bull Volcanol 59(7):490–505. doi:10.1007/s004450050206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ponomareva VV, Melekestsev I, Dirksen OV (2006) Sector collapses and large landslides on Late Pleistocene-Holocene volcanoes in Kamchatka, Russia. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 158:117–138. doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2006.04.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ponomareva VV, Kyle P, Pevzner M, Sulerzhitsky L, Hartman M (2007a) Holocene eruptive history of Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. In: Eichelberger J, Gordeev E, Izbekov P, Kasahara M, Lees J (eds) Volcanism and Subduction: The Kamchatka Region. Geophysical Monograph 172, AGU, Washington, pp 263–282. doi: 10.1029/GM172

  • Ponomareva VV, Melekestsev I, Braitsev O, Churikova T, Pevzner M, Sulerzhitsky L (2007b) Late Pleistocene-Holocene volcanism on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Northwest Pacific Region. In: Eichelberger J, Gordeev E, Izbekov P, Kasahara M, Lees J (eds) Volcanism and Subduction: The Kamchatka Region. Geophysical Monograph 172, AGU, Washington, pp 165–198. doi: 10.1029/GM172

  • Procter E, Bollschweiler M, Stoffel M, Neumann M (2011) A regional reconstruction of debris-flow activity in the Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria. Geomorphology 132:41–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Procter E, Stoffel M, Bollschweiler M, Neumann M (2012) Exploring debris-flow history and process dynamics using an integrative approach on a dolomitic cone in western Austria. Earth Surf Process Landf 37:913–922

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rinntech (2012) LINTAB-Precision Ring by Ring. http://www.rinntech.de/index-28703.html (last visit 08 January 2016)

  • Rodriguez-Morata C, Ballesteros-Cánovas JA, Trappmann D, Beniston M, Stoffel M (2016) Regional reconstruction of flash flood history in the Guadarrama range (Central System, Spain). Sci Total Environ 550:406–417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz-Villanueva V, Diez-Herrero A, Stoffel M, Bollschweiler M, Bodoque JM, Ballesteros JA (2010) Dendrogeomorphic analysis of flash floods in a small ungauged mountain catchment (Central Spain). Geomorphology 118:383–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schläppy R, Eckert N, Jomelli R, Stoffel M, Grancher D, Brunstein D, Naaim M, Deschatres M (2014) Validation of extreme snow avalanches and related return periods derived from a statistical-dynamical model using tree-ring based techniques. Cold Reg Sci Technol 99:12–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schläppy R, Jomelli V, Eckert N, Stoffel M, Grancher D, Brunstein D, Corona C, Deschatres M (2016) Can we infer avalanche climate relations using tree-ring data? Case studies from the French Alps. Reg Environ Chang 16:629–642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneuwly DM, Stoffel M, Bollschweiler M (2009a) Formation and spread of callus tissue and tangential rows of resin ducts in Larix decidua and Picea abies following rockfall impacts. Tree Physiol 29:281–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneuwly DM, Stoffel M, Dorren LKA, Berger F (2009b) Three-dimensional analysis of the anatomical growth response of European conifers to mechanical disturbance. Tree Physiol 29:1247–1257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneuwly-Bollschweiler M, Corona C, Stoffel M (2013) How to improve dating quality and reduce noise in tree-ring based debris-flow reconstructions. Quat Geochronol 18:110–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shevchenko AV, Dvigalo VN, Svirid IY (2015) Airborne photogrammetry and geomorphological analysis of the 2001–2012 exogenous dome growth at Molodoy Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 304:94–107. doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2015.08.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shroder JF Jr (1978) Dendrogeomorphological analysis of mass movement on Table Cliffs Plateau, Utah. Quat Res 9:168–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Šilhán K, Pánek T, Hradecký J (2012) Tree-ring analysis in the reconstruction of slope instabilities associated with earthquakes and precipitation (the Crimean Mountains, Ukraine). Geomorphology 173-174:174–184. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.06.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Šilhán K, Pánek T, Hradecký J, Stoffel M (2015) Tree-age control on reconstructed debris-flow frequencies: examples from a regional dendrogeomorphic reconstruction in the Crimean Mountains. Earth Surf Process Landf 40:243–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomina O, Pavlova I, Curtis A, Jacoby G, Ponomareva V, Pevzner M (2008) Constraining recent Shiveluch volcano eruptions (Kamchatka, Russia) by means of dendrochronology. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 8:1083–1097

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoffel M (2008) Dating past geomorphic processes with tangential rows of traumatic resin ducts. Dendrochronologia 26(1):53–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoffel M, Corona C (2014) Dendroecological dating of geomorphic disturbances in trees. Tree-Ring Research 70(1):3–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoffel M, Bollschweiler M (2008) Tree-ring analysis in natural hazard research – an overview. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 8(2):187–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoffel M, Hitz OM (2008) Rockfall and snow avalanche impacts leave different anatomical signatures in tree rings of juvenile Larix decidua. Tree Physiol 28:1713–1720

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoffel M, Bollschweiler M, Butler DR, Luckman BH (2010) Tree rings and natural hazards: a state-of-the-art. 505 pp

  • Stoffel M, Butler DR, Corona C (2013) Mass movements and tree rings: a guide to dendrogeomorphic field sampling and dating. Geomorphology 200:106–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoffel M, Lièvre I, Monbaron M, Perret S (2005a) Seasonal timing of rockfall activity on a forested slope at Täschgufer (Swiss Alps)—a dendrochronological approach. Z Geomorphol 49(1):89–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoffel M, Schneuwly D, Bollschweiler M, Lièvre I, Delaloye R, Myint M, Monbaron M (2005b) Analyzing rockfall activity (1600-2002) in a protection forest—a case study using dendrogeomorphology. Geomorphology 68(3–4):224–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trappmann D, Corona C, Stoffel M (2013) Rolling stones and tree rings: a state of research on dendrogeomorphic reconstructions of rockfall. Prog Phys Geogr 37:701–716. doi:10.1177/ 0309133313506451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trappmann D, Stoffel M, Corona C (2014) Achieving a more realistic assessment of rockfall hazards by coupling three-dimensional, process based models and field-based tree-ring data. Earth Surf Process Landf 39:1866–1875

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trappmann D, Stoffel M (2015) Visual dating of rockfall scars in Larix decidua (Mill.) trees. Geomorphology 245:62–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vallance JW (2005) Volcanic debris flows. In: Jakob M, Hungr O (eds) Debris-flows hazards and related phenomena. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 247–274

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Burght L, Stoffel M, Bigler CJ (2012) Analysis and modelling of tree succession on a recent rockslide deposit. Plant Ecol 213:35–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors kindly acknowledge all the Russian and Swiss scientists who were involved in this project for their valuable support and advice during and after fieldwork. Special thanks also go to the editors, James White and Lucia Capra, as well as to the reviewers for insightful comments. This research was supported by the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Program Switzerland-Russia and by the projects 13-05-12061, 14-05-00768, and 15-05-08694 of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. Satellite images were provided by MSU Geoportal.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dendrolab.ch, Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1+3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    E. Salaorni & M. Stoffel

  2. Climatic Change and Climate Impacts, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, 66 Boulevard Carl-Vogt, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland

    M. Stoffel & A. Sorg

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva, 13 rue des Maraîchers, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland

    M. Stoffel

  4. Laboratory of Aerospace Methods, Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics, Faculty of Geography, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1 Leninskiye Gory, Moscow, Russian Federation, 119991

    O. Tutubalina

  5. Research Laboratory of Snow Avalanches and Debris Flows, Faculty of Geography, M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1 Leninskiye Gory, Moscow, Russian Federation, 119991

    S. Chernomorets & I. Seynova

Authors
  1. E. Salaorni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Stoffel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. O. Tutubalina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Chernomorets
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. I. Seynova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A. Sorg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Stoffel.

Additional information

Editorial responsibility: L. Capra

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Salaorni, E., Stoffel, M., Tutubalina, O. et al. Dendrogeomorphic reconstruction of lahar activity and triggers: Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Bull Volcanol 79, 6 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-016-1094-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-016-1094-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation