A 7.0 earthquake has triggered Russia’s Shiveluch Volcano

The Shiveluch volcano, one of Russia’s most active, erupted following a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The eruption sent ash plumes soaring 5 kilometers (3 miles) into the sky, prompting a "code red" warning for aircraft in the area.

The volcanic activity began shortly after the earthquake, with volcanologists from the Russian Academy of Sciences indicating the possibility of another, even stronger earthquake in the near future. The situation remains under close observation as authorities monitor for further seismic and volcanic activity.

The Institute of Volcanology and Seismology released footage showing an expansive ash cloud over Shiveluch, which stretched more than 490 kilometers (304 miles) to the east and southeast of the volcano. Additionally, the Ebeko volcano on the Kuril Islands also erupted, sending ash 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) into the air.

While the institute did not confirm whether the earthquake directly triggered these eruptions, the events coincided closely. The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team issued a brief "code red" ash cloud warning, alerting all aircraft in the area. However, according to a report from the TASS news agency, no commercial flights were disrupted, and there was no damage to aviation infrastructure.

WARNING ISSUED: Potential 9.0 quake could hit Kamchatka within 24 hours

Russian scientists have warned of a potential follow-up earthquake with a magnitude nearing 9.0 in southeastern Kamchatka, possibly occurring within the next 24 hours. The initial 7.0 magnitude quake struck on Sunday at a depth of 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) beneath the sea bed, with its epicenter 108 kilometers (67 miles) southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of over 181,000 people.

There have been no immediate reports of injuries, but residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky described some of the strongest shaking they've experienced in years. Historical context includes a November 4, 1952, Kamchatka earthquake that reached magnitude 9.0, causing damage but no fatalities, though it generated 9.1-meter (30-foot) waves in Hawaii.

With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies