Russia's volcano eruption in the Kamchatka Peninsula triggered an aviation warning after threatening air traffic due to its expansive ash cloud in the sky.
The eruption of the Shiveluch volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Russian nation, began after midnight and continued for the next six hours. Besides the air traffic disturbance, the eruption covered villages with gray dust.
Russia's Volcano Eruption in Kamchatka
The Kamchatka Branch of the Russian Academy of Science' Geophysical Survey notes that the ash from the eruption has reached 20 kilometers high, per Reuters.
The volcanic eruption has blanketed nearby villages with gray ash, which turns out to be the deepest in the past 60 years, with a depth of 3.3 inches or 8.5 centimeters. Meanwhile, the ash cloud now covers roughly 108,000 square kilometers of area.
The director of the Kamchatka branch, Danila Chebrov, confirmed that "the ash reached 20 kilometers high." He also disclosed that "there was a very strong ash fall on nearby villages." Although the eruption is relatively destructive, Chebrov notes that "the volcano would probably calm now." Despite that, though, the ash clouds might continue to spread, adding that the lava flows are less likely to reach local villages.
Chebrov says, "The volcano was preparing for this for at least a year... and the process is continuing though it has calmed a little now."
Shiveluch Volcano Eruption Threatens Air Traffic
According to DW, the eruption of the Shiveluch in the Kamchatka Peninsula left an ash cloud spanning roughly 10 kilometers or six miles high. And because of this, the gray plume threatens air traffic. Hence, the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team, or KVERT, issued a code red Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation.
It further warned aircraft that the ash cloud could go as high as 15 kilometers or more than 9 miles. The KVERT went on to alert that the ongoing activity in the Russian volcano "could affect international and low-flying aircraft."
The Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences Kamchatka branch also confirmed the extent of the ash cloud brought by the recent explosion. It notes that the plumes have already reached the west and south. Not to mention that it spans with a measurement of 400 by 270 kilometers.
Other than the aviation warning, some schools in the Kamchatka peninsula have suspended their classes, closing their doors to students. Above and beyond that, authorities in the region are now asking residents to stay indoors amid the gray dust and ash cloud. It is worth noting that news publications point out that the ash cloud continues to spread. So its extent could expand further anytime soon.
NHK World News notes that massive eruptions, such as the Shiveluch volcano, could sometimes alter the tide levels. However, Japanese officials say there are no changes within the coastline of Japan.
