Has Russia's Krasheninnikov Volcano Erupted After 600 Years?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Krasheninnikov volcano erupted for the first time in 600 years.
- Ash plume reached up to 6 kilometers high.
- Authorities issued an orange aviation warning in response.
- The ash plume is moving southeast toward the Pacific Ocean.
- Residents are advised to stay at least 10 kilometers away from the volcano.
Moscow, Aug 4 (NationPress) In a remarkable event, the Krasheninnikov volcano on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula has erupted for the first time in over 600 years, launching a massive ash plume up to 6 kilometers into the atmosphere, according to the Kamchatka branch of the Unified Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that the eruption began at 2:50 a.m. local time on Sunday, initially generating ash plumes that reached an altitude of 3 to 4 kilometers above sea level. Subsequently, the ash column ascended dramatically, reaching heights of up to 6,000 meters (or 19,700 feet), leading to an orange aviation alert for the region.
Olga Girina, the head of KVERT, confirmed to RIA Novosti that this eruption signifies the first recorded activity of the Krasheninnikov volcano in over six centuries. Reports indicate that the ash plume is moving southeast, gradually drifting toward the Pacific Ocean.
In an official update via Telegram, the Kamchatka Geophysical Service noted, "The ash plume from the Krasheninnikov volcano is spreading southeast at an altitude of up to six kilometers above sea level."
The Kamchatka Ministry of Emergency Situations also shared an update on Telegram, affirming the ash plume's trajectory.
"The plume is moving eastward from the volcano toward the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately, no populated areas are located along its path, and no ashfall has been reported in inhabited regions," the ministry stated.
Positioned about 200 kilometers north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and 13 kilometers south of Lake Kronotskoye, the Krasheninnikov volcano is part of Kamchatka's Eastern Volcanic Zone, known for its high density of active volcanoes.
This eruption follows closely on the heels of a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake that struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami warnings and prompting a state of emergency in certain areas of Kamchatka and the Severo-Kurilsk district.
Prior warnings had been issued by the regional Emergency Ministry regarding potential ash emissions from several active volcanoes in Kamchatka, predicting rises of between 6 and 10 kilometers.
Given the heightened volcanic activity, both residents and visitors are advised to maintain a safe distance of at least 10 kilometers from the summits of these volcanoes.