Geology of Nalychevo Nature Park

Nalychevo Nature Park is situated within the Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Belt. The territory of park nearly coincides with the vast volcanic-tectonic ring structure, visible as a central depression eight by 20 kilometers in size, surrounded by active and extinct volcanoes. The formation of the volcanic-tectonic structure is a result of random movements of large blocks of the lithosphere influenced by an overall uplifting, caused by the movement of the Pacific basalt plate under the Asian continental plate.
In the valley of the Nalychevo River, the Kotel (Kettle) and Landscape trails offer broad views of active volcanoes: Koryaksky (the height of which is easily remembered as 3,456 m), Avachinsky (2,741 m), Zhupanovsky (2,780 m) - which consists of four consecutively formed cones, and Dzendzur (2,156 m). The two-tiered structure of Avachinsky Volcano is clearly visible. Seven thousand years ago, the ancient Praavachinsky Volcano exceeded Koryaksky in size. A significant part of the volcano was destroyed by an explosion in the direction of Avacha Bay. By present day, a young 800 meter-high cone had formed in the crater caused by the explosion.
Avachinsky Volcano is constantly active. During the 1945 eruption, a large area was covered with a thick layer of volcanic slag. The slag is used for construction in the regional center. Residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky observed the last eruption of Avachinsky Volcano in February 1991, when short streams of lava flowed from the volcano.
The abundance of thermal and mineral springs in the park is a result of tectonic-magmatic activity deep underground.
The magmatic centers of the Avacha group of volcanoes and adjacent parts of the lithosphere heated by them are the source of enormous quantities of heat. The discovery of avachite - rocks originating deep in the mantle - testifies to the intensity of geological processes.
Glaciers on the Koryaksky-Avachinsky group of volcanoes and on Zhupanovskiy Volcano are relicts that remind us of glacial processes that once shaped the Kamchatka landscape. Glaciers create their own microclimates within volcanic mountain ranges. Additionally, they provide a constant source of fresh water to brooks and rivers. Glaciers create beautiful landscapes appealing to tourists.
The interaction of tectonic processes, volcanism, and destructive surficial forces worked to create the unique and colorful terrain in Nalychevo Park. Here one can observe transitions from young volcanic formations to the ruins of ancient volcanoes, to extensive lava streams and slag fields, to U-shaped valleys formed by glaciers, to hilly relief and moraine dunes.