What kind of volcano is Kazbek?

Kazbek is classified as a Stratovolcano in Georgia. Its tectonic setting is Intraplate / Continental crust (> 25 km).

How is seismicity near Kazbek monitored here?

Earthquakes within 50 km of the crater are aggregated from 18 seismic networks and checked against a swarm rule that compares the current rate with this volcano's own 30-day background. Ash advisories come from the VAAC centres that are connected.

Mount Kazbek glacier-draped peak rising above Kazbegi village

Photo:Khatia Gorgishelivia Unsplash

Volcano Dossier•GVP #214020

42.70°N, 44.52°E

Historical eruption

Georgia→

Volcano Kazbek

Soaring to 5,004 m in the central Greater Caucasus on the border of Georgia and Russia, Kazbek is a glaciated Quaternary stratovolcano. Its summit is capped by active valley glaciers, and geothermal activity persists through hot mineral springs and fumarolic degassing along its flanks.

Last eruption

750 BCE

Historical eruption

Summit

5.0 km

Stratovolcano · Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Activity

Normal Baseline

0 events (1.0x rate)

Interactive Volcano & Seismicity Map

Seismicity within 50 km radius, active VAAC ash plumes, and tectonic plate boundaries.

Recent seismicity within 50 km

0 events in the last 12 h within 25 km of the crater.

Time	Magnitude	Epicenter / Place	Distance	Depth
53d ago	M3.3	CAUCASUS REGION, RUSSIA (GSRAS)	22 km	5 km
84d ago	M3.3	CAUCASUS REGION, RUSSIA (GSRAS)	31 km	10 km

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Stratovolcano

Kazbek is an active Stratovolcano formed in an active Intraplate / Continental crust (> 25 km). Dominant lithology: Andesite / Basaltic Andesite.

Edifice TypeStratovolcano

Major rockAndesite / Basaltic Andesite

TectonicsIntraplate

Volcanic ArcCaucasus Volcanic Province

Volcano Dossier

VN #214020

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

CountryGeorgia

Crater Coordinates42.697°, 44.518°

Summit5.0 km

SubregionCaucasus Volcanic Province

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#214020)

Authoritative Monitoring Infrastructure

All 18 Networks & VAAC →

Seismic ObservatoryGSN / FDSN

Global Seismographic Network & Regional Centers

Official Portal

ICAO Aviation Ash Center

ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Network

International Civil Aviation Organization

VAAC Advisory Desk

Swarm telemetry correlated across 18 networks against a 30-day baseline.Read Science & Physics →

Regional Seismic Profile

Caucasus Seismic Belt

Explore live seismic monitoring, historical danger benchmarks, fault slip models and recurrence intervals for Caucasus Seismic Belt.

Open Regional Hub

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Verified scientific, operational, and emergency protocols

The most recent eruption of Kazbek recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 750 BCE.

Catalogue: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program.Smithsonian GVP profile