Lava and Snow on Klyuchevskaya Volcano Seen from Space

Dark lava streams down the southeast flank of Klyuchevskaya volcano in this satellite image.

Lava and Snow on Klyuchevskaya Volcano. Credit: NASA

The dark gray lava—perhaps combined with deposits from lahars or pyroclastic flows—contrasts sharply with the volcano’s snow-covered and sunlit southern slopes, while a thin plume extends due west from the summit. According to the Smithsonian/United States Geological Survey Global Volcanism Program Klyuchevskaya has been active throughout most of 2009.

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer aboard NASA’s Terra satellite captured this false-color image on December 11, 2009.