ИСТИНА

The Elbrus volcanic center is located on the northern slope of the main ridge of the Greater Caucasus. It includes Mount Elbrus, a double-top stratovolcano, and a number of small volcanoes concentrated on its western and eastern flanks. According to present understanding, the Elbrus volcano falls into the category of the so-called dormant volcanoes that become reactivated. It is a typical volcano of a continental type. Analysis of lithosphere deformations recorded by the wide-band Baksan laser interferometer-strainmeter with a 75-m armlength which is installed in the vicinity of the Elbrus volcanic center, has allowed to develop the effective method to control the state of the Elbrus volcano. Another method used to study the state of the Elbrus volcanic center based on low-frequency microseismic sounding. This method allows to determine the deep structure of complicated geological objects on the base of monitoring the background microseismic field. The complex geological-geophysical study has identified several magmatic structures related to the Elbrus volcanic center. Currently the Elbrus volcano is in a phase of a deep “seismic lull”, which may be due to the local extension of the lithosphere in a volcanic area. The extension reduces seismic activity and increases volcanic one, opening channels for the receipt of mantle material. In this regard, we can assume that Elbrus is in a state of intensified magmatic processes.