The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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This 7 March 2005 Envisat MERIS image shows the unusual phenomenon of the simultaneous eruption of two stratovolcanoes, Kliuchevskoi and Shiveluch (or Sheveluch) on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Stratovolcanoes are formed of alternating layers of pyroclastic materials and subordinate lavas. They have conical shapes and are built up by multiple eruptions. The lava produced during stratovolcano eruptions is typically andesitic, with fine grains and dark colour. Andesitic eruptions tend to be explosive, producing pyroclastic materials and in some cases 'ignimbrites' - fist-sized pumice fragments. The Reduced Resolution mode image has a 300 metre resolution.