Shiveluch Volcano Erupts in Russia

The Shiveluch volcano erupted within hours of a powerful earthquake hitting Kamchatka’s east coast in Russia. The two events are not believed to be related.

At a Glance

Shiveluch volcano erupted over the weekend, spewing ash 5 kilometers into the sky over the Kamchatka Peninsula.
A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake off Kamchatka’s east coast was also reported over the weekend.
Volcanologists warned of a potential even stronger earthquake.
The ash cloud stretched more than 490 kilometers east and southeast.

Details of the Eruption and Earthquake

One of Russia’s most active volcanoes, Shiveluch, erupted on the same day that a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off Kamchatka’s east coast on Saturday, August 17. The Shiveluch volcano emitted an ash column up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) into the sky, causing concern for residents and scientists alike. The eruption created an ash cloud that extended more than 490 kilometers (304 miles) east and southeast. Despite these disturbances, no commercial flights were disrupted, and there was no reported damage to aviation infrastructure.

The initial earthquake struck at a depth of 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) with the epicenter located 108 kilometers (67 miles) southeast of the nearest city. Residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city close to an important Russian submarine base, reported strong shaking from the quake.

There is currently some conflicting information in the media about the order of events. Many reports indicated that the volcano erupted after the earthquake, but an August 19 USA Today report stated that Shiveluch erupted first, at 11:45 a.m. UTC. The earthquake, according to the report, which cited the United States Geological Survey, began at 7:10 p.m. UTC.

Video shows village in Russia covered in ash after volcano eruption https://t.co/TIIPXANuv9

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) August 19, 2024

Scientists’ Warnings

Scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences warned shortly after the tremors that this tectonic activity could signal an impending more powerful earthquake, emphasizing that a second quake could hit within 24 hours after the first. This mirrored historical concerns as Kamchatka previously experienced a magnitude 9.0 earthquake in 1952, causing significant waves in Hawaii but fortunately no deaths.

No larger earthquake has been reported, although around 30 aftershocks were reportedly recorded in the nearby area. In addition, a 4.6 magnitude earthquake was detected in Buryatia, Russia, and a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit an area northeast of Shikotan in recent days.

Historical Context

Historically, the Kamchatka Peninsula is known for significant seismic and volcanic activity. Shiveluch has reportedly had a minimum of 60 large eruptions over the last 10,000 years. A notable eruption occurred as recently as April 2023, which led to ash reaching 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) high and falling over villages in the area.

After the most recent eruption, a “code red” ash cloud warning was briefly issued for aircraft, but no commercial flights were disrupted. This underscores the region’s preparedness for such natural disasters and the efficiency of the alert systems in place.