Image from one of the world's most active volcanic regions

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The three largest volcanoes visible at image center include Klyuchevskoy, Bezymianny, and Ushkovsky. [Photo/NASA]

NASA has released an image of the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia, one of the most active volcanic regions on Earth.

The image, which shows a thin ash and steam plume flowing out of the Klyuchevskoy volcano, was taken by an astronaut onboard the International Space Station. In the image, The flanks of Klyuchevskoy are covered with dark ash deposits, in contrast to the snow-covered flanks of both Bezymianny and Ushkovsky.

Klyuchevskoy is the most active volcano, with geologic, historical, and observational data indicating no major quiet periods since the volcano formed approximately 6,000 years ago, according to NASA.

The Kamchatka Peninsula boasts one of the highest concentrations of volcanic features on Earth, including over 300 identified volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers. In addition, abundant volcanic rock exposures and volcanogenic sediments attest to the highly active tectonic setting of the peninsula, a result of subduction of the Pacific oceanic plate beneath the overriding Eurasia continental plate.

In addition to the high geological interest of the region, the peninsula’s abundant wildlife and distinctive coastal and inland geography led to designation of the UNESCO Volcanoes of Kamchatka World Heritage Site in 1996.

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