NISAR satellite tracks lava flows at Krasheninnikov volcano

The NISAR satellite, a joint mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has captured a sequence of 17 radar observations tracking lava flows at the Krasheninnikov volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.

The observations, taken between December 2025 and mid-August 2026, show lava filling an inner caldera, overflowing into a larger crater, and spreading eastward in a fan shape. The volcano began erupting in 2025 following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast, marking its first recorded activity in nearly five centuries.

Unlike conventional cameras, NISAR uses microwave pulses to penetrate clouds and operate without sunlight. By observing the area from two directions every 12 days, the mission provides detailed surface changes where each pixel represents approximately 10 square meters. This capability allows scientists to monitor natural hazards in remote, difficult-to-access regions.