Page 219 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Case Study 10

Challenging Destinations

The World Heritage Listed Volcanoes of

Kamchatka

Henry Gaudru but one can land in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the
capital, by way of a Mi-8 helicopter, which must be
Introduction chartered (Figure CS10.1). The main geological and
Kamchatka is the name for a peninsula located on volcanological trips offered include trekking/hiking
in volcanic and geothermal areas with climbing on
the far east of Russia; it is one of the largest in the volcanoes, ski tourism and descents from volcanoes
world and famous for its wildlife and volcanic with the use of helicopters (heli-skiing), ski trekking,
activity. The 700km-long volcanic belt that makes downhill skiing, flights over the Komandorsky and
up the peninsula is the surface expression of the Kurile islands, and flights over active volcanoes. In
north-westerly subduction by 8–10cm a year of past years the infrastructure of tourism in this area
the Pacific Ocean Plate under the Eurasian Plate, has seen development in the most picturesque
and exhibits the complete range of vulcanism places, such as the Valley of Geysers, Nalichevsky
characteristic of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Since Natural Park, Lake Kuril, Malkinsky hot springs and
1690 some 200 eruptions have been recorded. The along the rivers Zhupanova and Opala. Approximately
peninsula has some 300 volcanoes of which 33 are 15,000 tourists visited Kamchatka in 1995, 4000 of
currently active – most of these of explosive them foreign.
character and many of perfect pyramidal form. Of Kronotskiy Nature Park is the only site in
these, 34 in total and the 13 most active volcanoes Russia with large geysers that enhance its tourist
on Kamchatka occur in heritage areas. Most of potential. Approximately 2000 tourists visit the
these are basaltic composite stratocones and Valley of the Geysers each year where a helipad
andesite stratovolcanoes, but some are shield and boardwalk have been built and some measures
volcanoes. There are also calderas, scoria cones, taken to protect it from overuse by tourists
lava streams, cinder fields, over 160 thermal and (Krever et al 1994). There are ecological education
mineral springs, geysers, solfataras, mud pots and centres in both Kronotskiy Reserve and Nalychevo
many other volcanic features. The volcanoes of Park. Helicopter access to tourist cabins within
Kamchatka are protected areas and are included in Nalychevo and Southern Kamchatka Nature
the United Nations world heritage list.
Reserves is available. Between 1993 and 1999 the
Klyuchevskaya group averaged about 250–300
Tourism visitors a summer, 100 being foreigners, but it does
Tourism activities have largely developed over the not yet cater for many tourists. Projects to
last 15 years. Travelling to this distant part of Russia’s promote ecotourism are now underway, partly to
wilderness can be done, though not easily. supplement reduced government funding. The
Transportation is scarce and roads are even scarcer, reserves are normally reached by helicopter.

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