Shiashkotan

one of the Kuril Islands, located in the northern part of the chain, between Shiashkotan and Kruzenshtern straits. The island, which belongs to the USSR, has an area of 122 sq km. Shiashkotan is composed of two volcanoes connected by a narrow isthmus with a width of 1 km. In the north is the active volcano Sinarka, which erupted in the 18th century and again in 1846, 1855, and 1872; Sinarka has an elevation of 934 m. In the south is the volcano Kuntomintar, which has an elevation of 828 m and which emits hot gases and vapors. Shiashkotan has oceanic meadows and thickets of dwarf stone pine and prostrate forms of alder.