The “Vulkanolog” stamp from the “Research Fleet” series was issued on December 25, 1979. Print run: 8,200,000 copies. Artist: A. Aksamit.
“Vulkanolog” was a “Valerian Uryvaev”-class research vessel of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Launched on April 26, 1976; built by the Khabarovsk Shipbuilding Plant named after S. M. Kirov. It was operated by the Institute of Volcanology of the USSR Academy of Sciences.
The ship was built to a special design and intended for research into submarine volcanism and seismic activity in the Pacific Ocean. A total of 41 research voyages were completed, visiting Mexico, New Guinea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and the area near the Kamchatka Peninsula.
As a result of the scientific research carried out on the vessel, patterns in the geological development of the seabed in the Kuril–Kamchatka region were identified, tectonic maps were compiled, and seismically active faults were discovered and described. The ship’s scientists discovered the Vulkanologs Massif, located northeast of the Commander Islands, and the active Piip submarine volcano.
In 1980, during repairs, an explosion occurred in Vulkanolog’s main engine.
After 1991, the vessel was used for passenger voyages.