According to regional volcanology experts, the Shiveluch volcano in Russia erupted on Tuesday, blowing a cloud of ash across a significant portion of the Kamchatka Peninsula and perhaps posing a concern to airplanes.
The ash cloud had traveled hundreds of kilometers to the north and southwest of Shiveluch, according to the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), which issues an aviation code red after eruptions in the area.
The Shiveluch Volcano
“The volcano’s extrusive eruption is still going strong. A.s.l. (above sea level) ash explosions up to 15 km (49,200 ft) could happen at any time. International and low-flying aircraft may be impacted by ongoing activities, according to the KVERT alert.
Oleg Bondarenko, the head of the regional Ust-Kamchatsky administration, shared a video of the eruption on Telegram, showing a wall of dark grey ash pouring from one end of the horizon to the other.
- A volcanic eruption occurred on Tuesday at Shiveluch in Russia
- The ash cloud had traveled to the north and southwest of Shiveluch.
- Avoid leaving the premises unnecessarily, locals are advised.
Locals are “advised to stay at home, do not leave the premises unnecessarily,” according to a separate post by Bondarenko.
Shiveluch, one of Kamchatka’s biggest volcanoes, is estimated by KVERT to be 60,000–70,000 years old.
Less than 12,000 people, according to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, are thought to reside within a 100-kilometer radius near Shiveluch on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
