Volcano erupts in Russia after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake
In a dramatic development, a volcano in Russia has erupted following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the east coast. The eruption sent a huge plume of ash and smoke flying miles into the sky, creating a dramatic scene.
The Shiveluch volcano, located about 280 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky—a coastal city of about 180,000 residents in the Kamchatka region of eastern Russia—is at the center of this natural upheaval. According to state news agency TASS, the ash column rose to an estimated height of about 8 km above sea level and lava flows were observed. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was about 55 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and occurred at a depth of about 30 miles. Following the seismic activity, TASS indicated that there was no significant damage, although buildings are currently being examined for potential harm, with a focus on social infrastructure for extensive damage. Ministry State of Emergency Russia did not issue a tsunami warning after the earthquake.
The Kamchatka branch of the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology of the Russian Academy of Sciences has issued a red alert for both domestic and international flights in the region. Their Telegram channel reported that the ash cloud extended 492 km east and southeast of the volcano. “Volcanic activity poses a threat to both domestic and international flights,” scientists said.
Previously, the US Tsunami Warning System warned that “dangerous tsunami waves from this earthquake could occur within 300 km of the epicenter along the Russian coast.”
Shiveluch, 3,283 meters high, is one of Kamchatka’s largest volcanoes. It has three components: the “Old Shiveluch” stratovolcano, an ancient caldera, and the currently active “Young Shiveluch”. The lava dome of “Young Shiveluch” reaches an altitude of 2,500 meters. The volcano is located at the junction of the Kuril-Kamchatka and Aleutian island arcs, about 50 km from the village of Klyuchi in Ust-Kamchatsky district and 450 km from the regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
