All news

Volcano Shiveluch spews ash to altitude of up to 6 km

There is no hazard to inhabited areas

PETROPAVLOVSK kAMCHATSKY, May 6 (Itar-Tass) - A series of discharges of ash to an altitude of four to six kilometres above sea level from the crater of volcano Shiveluch has been recorded here on the Kamchatka Peninsula. There is no hazard to inhabited areas.

An official at the Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Itar-Tass on Monday that a series of earth jolts has been recorded in the volcano. These could be accompanied with considerble discharges of volcanic material into the atmosphere. Such discharges were not observed, for the voclano is surrounded by dense clouds.

There has been no ash fallout in nearby settlements.

Shiveluch is the northernmost and one of most active volcanoes of Kamchatka. It is located at a distance of 450 km north-east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The volcano's altitude is 3,284 metres above sea level. The eruptions are of explosive nature.

Shiveluch has been active since September 1980. The nearest populated area -- Klyuchi (water-springs) -- is 50 km away from the volcano's foot.

Along with Shiveluch, another two volcanoes -- Plosky Tolbachik and Kizimen are also highly active. Expert estimate is that they pose no hazard to the population.