Kamchatka volcano erupts, ash cloud drifts toward Bering Sea

An eruption has occurred at the Shiveluch Volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula, producing a powerful ash plume that rose several kilometres into the atmosphere.

According to the Unified Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences, cited by Russian media, the volcano emitted an ash column reaching up to 8,000 meters above sea level.

“An eruption of the Shiveluch volcano occurred with an ash plume reaching up to 8,000 meters above sea level. The ash cloud moved northeast toward the Bering Sea. According to eyewitnesses from the village of Klyuchi, explosions were heard coming from the direction of the volcano,” the statement said.

The ash cloud drifted northeast in the direction of the Bering Sea.

Shiveluch is an active volcano located in Kamchatka. It consists of Old Shiveluch, an ancient caldera, and the active Young Shiveluch volcano. Scientists estimate the volcano’s age at 60,000 to 70,000 years.

The volcano lies about 50 kilometres from the village of Klyuchi in the Ust-Kamchatsky district and approximately 450 kilometres from the regional capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Due to the eruption, an orange aviation hazard alert has been issued for the area around the volcano.

Residents of nearby settlements reported hearing loud explosive sounds from the direction of the volcano during the eruption.

By Tamilla Hasanova