On April 11, 2023, the Shiveluch volcano in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula erupted discharging ash as high as 10 kilometres into the sky.
The Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences noted that following the eruption, the ash cloud drifted to the west and south and measured 400 by 270 kilometres. Media reports said that the ash cloud will likely continue to spread.
Shiveluch, meaning “smoking mountain," is one of Kamchatka's largest and most active volcanoes. It has had an estimated 60 substantial eruptions in the past 10,000 years. The last major eruption was in 2007.
About 300,000 people live on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula. The resultant ashfall from Tuesday’s eruption was reported in several local villages.
In Kliuchi, a town about 50 kilometers from the volcano, at least 8.5 centimeteres of ash was reported to have fallen This is the highest in at least 60 years. Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations has instructed the shutdown of schools and transportation and has urged citizens to remain indoors.
The authorities have also declared a code red for aviation in the area. There were no immediate reports of casualties. But scientists have pointed out that the volcano was still continuing to erupt 15 hours after the start.
Although the Japan Meteorological Agency briefly cautioned about the potential risk of a tsunami from the “large-scale eruption,” it was later ruled out and no warnings were issued.
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