The Russian state news agency TASS reports that a volcano has erupted following a strong earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale off the eastern coast of Russia, sending a plume of ash miles into the sky.
Shiveluch Volcano is located approximately 280 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a coastal city with a population of around 180,000 in the Kamchatka region of eastern Russia.
The eruption of Shiveluch volcano is believed to have been triggered by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, located about 102 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. (Source: Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences/AP).
“According to visual assessment, the ash column is rising up to 8 kilometers above sea level,” TASS reported on Sunday morning local time, adding that the volcano has also emitted a lava flow. There have been no reports of injuries, TASS noted.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was about 55 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and occurred at a depth of approximately 30 miles.
As reported by TASS, the earthquake did not cause “significant damage”; however, buildings are currently being inspected to determine any potential harm, with particular attention being paid to social facilities. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations did not issue a tsunami warning following the earthquake.
The Telegram channel of the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, stated that a red alert has been issued for domestic and international flights in the region.
“The ash cloud extends 492 kilometers to the east and southeast of the volcano. A red aviation alert has been issued. The volcanic activity poses a threat to both domestic and international flights,” scientists stated in a release.
Previously, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System had alerted that “dangerous tsunamis from this earthquake could occur within 300 kilometers from the epicenter along the Russian coast.”
Shiveluch is one of the largest volcanoes in Kamchatka, standing at 3,283 meters tall. It consists of three components: the stratovolcano “Old Shiveluch”, an ancient crater, and the currently active “Young Shiveluch.” The lava dome of “Young Shiveluch” rises to 2,500 meters. The volcano is located at the convergence of the Kuril-Kamchatka and Aleutian island arcs, 50 kilometers from the village of Klyuchi in the Ust-Kamchatsky District and 450 kilometers from the regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
- Rare wood considered a “treasure”: Cannot be cultivated artificially, fragrance preserved for hundreds of thousands of years
- Africa is full of “emeralds” on the road, but no one picks them up, locals warn: Beware of losing your life!
- The Bully cat breed gaining fame across social media, experts warn against buying for a heartbreaking reason
