A 7.0 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Sunday triggered the eruption of Shiveluch, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, prompting urgent warnings for aviation. The earthquake, which struck at a depth of 18 miles (29 km), caused severe shaking and damage in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of over 150,000 residents.
Following the quake, the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that Shiveluch erupted, sending ash plumes up to three miles (5 km) high. The ash cloud, extending approximately 930 miles (1,500 km) east-southeast, prompted the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) in Tokyo to issue a “red” code warning, indicating a significant risk to aircraft. The ash plume has reached an estimated altitude of 28,000 ft (8.5 km) and is moving eastward at 60 knots (70 mph).
The earthquake also triggered several aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 3.9 to 5.0, highlighting ongoing seismic activity in the region.
Local authorities are likely assessing the situation and coordinating response efforts as the ash cloud poses risks to aviation and potentially nearby communities. Residents may need to take precautions against ash fall and other disruptions.
