One of Russia’s most active volcanoes, Shiveluch, has erupted following a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The eruption, which began shortly after the earthquake on Sunday morning, has sent massive plumes of ash into the atmosphere, prompting an aircraft warning and causing widespread concern in the region.
The earthquake, recorded at 7:10 a.m. local time (8:10 p.m. UK time on Saturday), struck at a depth of 29 kilometers (18 miles) beneath the ocean floor. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake caused “severe shaking” and “moderate to heavy damage” in the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, home to more than 150,000 people. While there have been no immediate reports of casualties, the quake has heightened fears of aftershocks and further volcanic activity.
Following the earthquake, the Shiveluch volcano, located in the northern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula, erupted violently. The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) issued a “red” code warning for aircraft, the highest level of alert, due to the significant amount of ash now present in the atmosphere. The eruption has produced explosions that have sent ash clouds as high as five kilometers (three miles) into the sky. These ash plumes have traveled approximately 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) to the east-southeast, spreading across a vast area and posing a potential threat to air travel.
Satellite images from the region show two new lava domes forming on the southwestern flank of the volcano, indicating ongoing volcanic activity. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) in Tokyo has also issued warnings about the continuing explosive activity. The ash plume has been observed at an altitude of up to 28,000 feet (8.5 kilometers), moving at speeds of 70 miles per hour (60 knots) in an easterly direction.
Shiveluch, part of the Kliuchevskaya volcano group, is one of the most active volcanoes in Kamchatka and has a long history of eruptions. It has erupted around 60 times over the past 10,000 years, with the last major eruption occurring in 2007. The volcano is approximately 65,000 years old, and its history includes catastrophic eruptions in 1854 and 1956. During those events, large portions of the lava dome collapsed, triggering massive debris avalanches.
Initially, following the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued for coastal areas within 300 miles (480 kilometers) of the epicenter, raising concerns about the potential for hazardous waves. However, the warning was lifted shortly afterward, providing some relief to the residents in the affected regions.
Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common in the Kamchatka Peninsula, which lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its seismic activity. The combination of powerful tectonic movements and volcanic eruptions poses a constant threat to the people living in this area. Scientists and emergency services are closely monitoring the situation, ready to respond to any further developments.