Krenitsyn Volcano

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Kuril Islands are among the most remote places on Earth, and one of the most stunning. Officially administered by Russia, the territory has been disputed with Japan since WWII. The islands are difficult to reach, and today only around 20,000 people call them a permanent home. 

One of the highlights of the region is the Krenitsyn Volcano, located inside Kol'tsevoe Lake in the Tao-Rusyr Caldera on Onekotan Island. Historically, Onetokan was inhabited by the Ainu people, who were forcefully resettled off the island in 1884. Today, it is uninhabited.

Essentially, Krenitsyn is a volcano inside a larger volcano. While it is not the only nested volcano in the world, it might just be the most scenic and breathtaking of them all. The landscape was formed thanks to the eruption of the larger ancient volcano sometime between 5,550 and 9,400 years ago. The massive eruption left a giant caldera, which gradually filled with water. Eventually, the second smaller volcano was formed inside the lake. The inner volcano last erupted in 1952 and is still active to this day. 

The caldera measures 7km across and the base of the inner volcano is 3.5km wide. The lake reaches a depth of 369 meters, and the peak of the inner volcano is at 1324 meters above sea level.

It is possible to visit and climb the volcano with experienced guides. Helicopter tours and other trips depart from the Kamchatka Peninsula.