PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, June 4 (Itar-Tass) — The Shiveluch volcano in Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula ejected an ash cloud to an altitude of over 9 kilometers above sea level, the Kamchatka branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Geophysical Service told Itar-Tass on Monday.
There was no threat for the population.
The volcano’s ash emissions were accompanied by a 19 minute quake. The volcanic dust plume stretched 44 kilometers southeastwards. There were no reports about volcanic dust fallout in the nearby populated areas.
According to classification of Russia’s Geophysical Service, the volcano was given a red aviation colour code. It warns of seismic activity and possible ash emissions to an altitude of over 8 kilometers above sea level.
Air carriers were informed about threats that ash and gases emitted to the atmosphere may pose for aircraft engines.
Shiveluch is the northernmost active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula. It is located 450 kilometers northeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The nearest populated settlement is the village of Klyuchi, where 5,600 people reside and which is located 50 kilometers from the volcano’s foot. The volcano’s catastrophic eruptions took place in 1864 and 1964, when a large part of the lava dome collapsed and created a devastating debris avalanche. Shiveluch has been active since 1980. Specialists have been continuously monitoring the volcano.