Moscow, August 3: Krasheninnikov Volcano in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula erupted overnight for the first time in over 600 years, state news agency RIA and scientists reported on Sunday.
The eruption came just days after a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Far East, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including distant regions like French Polynesia and Chile.
According to Olga Girina, head of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team, the eruption may be linked to recent seismic activity. “This is the first historically confirmed eruption of Krasheninnikov Volcano in 600 years,” she said. The volcano’s last lava outflow is estimated to have occurred around 1463 ± 40 years, with no confirmed eruption since.
The Ministry for Emergency Services reported that an ash plume rising up to 6,000 metres (3.7 miles) was observed following the eruption. The volcano stands at 1,856 metres, and the ash cloud is moving eastward toward the Pacific Ocean, posing no immediate threat to populated areas.
In light of the eruption, authorities have issued an orange aviation code, indicating heightened risk to aircraft due to volcanic ash in the airspace.
The region also experienced a 7.0-magnitude earthquake near the Kuril Islands, which may be part of the same tectonic shift that affected Krasheninnikov. The ministry is monitoring three coastal zones in Kamchatka for potential tsunami activity.
The eruption follows the recent activity of Klyuchevskoy Volcano, the most active volcano in Kamchatka, further indicating elevated geological unrest in the region.
Authorities have urged caution but confirmed that no evacuations are required at this time. Monitoring continues as scientists assess ongoing seismic and volcanic behavior.
