A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck off Russia’s east coast has triggered an eruption of the Shiveluch volcano, according to state-run media. The volcanic eruption has sent a column of ash up to 8 kilometers (5 miles) into the air and released lava, though no injuries have been reported.
The Shiveluch volcano, located approximately 280 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city with around 180,000 residents in Russia’s Kamchatka region, is experiencing heightened activity following the earthquake. The epicenter of the quake was about 55 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and occurred at a depth of roughly 30 miles, as reported by the US Geological Survey (USGS).
While the earthquake did not cause major damage, officials are inspecting buildings for potential harm, with a focus on social facilities. The Russian Emergencies Ministry has not issued a tsunami warning in response to the tremor. Previously, the US Tsunami Warning System had alerted that hazardous tsunami waves could be possible within 300 kilometers (approximately 186 miles) of the quake’s epicenter along the Russian coast.