The Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano has started erupting, while the Shiveluch volcano has become extremely active, the volcanology institute of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported.
Shiveluch. Photo: the volcanology institute of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
RIA Novosti was told that the eruption had begun in Klyuchevskaya Sopka’s top crater, with sporadic hot bomb emissions up to ten explosions an hour. The volcano’s height (around 200 metres) limits the visibility of these geological processes.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Photo: the volcanology institute of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Meanwhile, Shiveluch has spewed ash to the height of 4.6 and 5 km.
Ashfalls are expected in the nearest towns, scientists do not recommend approaching the volcano closer than 15 km. “Flows can travel up to 20 km and block the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky—Ust-Kamchatsk highway,” the institute said.
The orange aviation danger code has been introduced for Shiveluch.
The volcanoes sprung into action following the 5.7-magnitude earthquake that happened at night off Kamchatka’s east coast.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka is the tallest active volcano in Eurasia.
