One of Russia’s most active volcanoes, Shiveluch, erupted on Sunday, sending ash plumes 5 kilometers (3 miles) into the sky over the Kamchatka Peninsula in the country’s far east. The eruption followed a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake off Kamchatka’s east coast, prompting a temporary “code red” warning for aircraft in the area.
Scientists Warn of Potential Stronger Earthquake
The eruption began shortly after the earthquake, and volcanologists from the Russian Academy of Sciences have warned that a stronger earthquake, possibly approaching a magnitude of 9.0, could hit the region within 24 hours. The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team reported the ash cloud stretching more than 490 kilometers (304 miles) east and southeast of the volcano.
Impact on Aviation and Local Population
The “code red” ash cloud warning temporarily put all aircraft in the area on alert, though no commercial flights were disrupted, and there was no reported damage to aviation infrastructure. The earthquake, which struck at a depth of 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) under the seabed, had its epicenter 108 kilometers (67 miles) southeast of the nearest city. Residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a port city with a population of over 181,000, reported experiencing some of the strongest tremors in recent memory.
The Kamchatka region has a history of powerful earthquakes. In 1952, a magnitude 9.0 quake struck the area, causing damage but no fatalities, despite generating 9.1-meter (30-foot) waves in Hawaii. Russian scientists continue to monitor the situation closely, advising residents and authorities to remain vigilant.