A joint US-Indian satellite mission captured timelapse video showing lava spreading from Krasheninnikov, a pair of volcanoes on the Pacific coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, following an 8.8-magnitude earthquake on July 30, 2025. The eruption marked the northern volcano's first activity since approximately 1550, sending molten rock and debris eastward across the terrain.
How the NISAR Satellite Tracks Volcanic Activity
Operating from an orbit 464 miles (747 kilometers) above Earth, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission captured its first image of Krasheninnikov on December 25, 2025. The satellite passes over the location twice every 12 days, collecting detailed radar data that researchers compiled into a 17-frame timelapse running through mid-August 2026.
The imagery demonstrates how the L-band radar maps surface changes globally with a resolution of several dozen feet.
Visualizing the Lava Flow Progression
Researchers used the radar data to track the physical spread of the eruption in detail. The timelapse sequence reveals lava first filling a small inner caldera, spilling into a larger crater, and finally expanding outward in a fan shape toward the east.
Did you know? Lava appears brighter than surrounding snow or bare ground in radar scans because it reflects microwaves much more strongly than the seasonal cover.
Alongside the primary eastern flow, the radar data also revealed a secondary lava flow heading northwest, which likely formed before the spacecraft captured its initial baseline image in late December.
Dual-Band Radar Technology and Global Monitoring
NISAR represents the first freely flying space mission equipped with two distinct radar systems operating on different wavelengths. The L-band penetrates tree canopies to image the ground below, while the S-band observes the canopy itself depending on leaf size.
Both instruments collect data using a massive 39-foot (12-meter) drum-shaped reflector antenna—the largest radar antenna NASA has ever launched into space. Today, researchers utilize these high-precision, cloud-accessible observations to monitor roughly 1,300 active volcanoes worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Krasheninnikov begin erupting?
The northern volcano began erupting days after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Kamchatka coastline on July 30, 2025, ending a dormant period that lasted since roughly 1550.
How does the NISAR satellite capture images through weather and darkness?
As a synthetic aperture radar mission, NISAR emits its own microwave pulses toward Earth and records the returning signals, allowing it to map surface changes regardless of daylight or cloud cover.
What are the primary instruments on board NISAR?
The spacecraft carries an L-band radar and an S-band radar, both utilizing a 39-foot (12-meter) reflector.
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