For the first time in 600 years, the Krasheninnikov volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula erupted early Sunday, sending ash 6 km into the sky.
The eruption followed a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake in the region, which also prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific, from Japan and Alaska to Hawaii and New Zealand.
Safety Status:
No populated areas lie in the ash plume’s path.
No ashfall has been recorded in inhabited zones.
No tourist groups were present near the volcano at the time.
Scientific Significance:
Experts from the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team called it a “historic” event. The Smithsonian Institution lists the last eruption as occurring in 1550, though Russian sources suggest it may have been even earlier.
While the eruption has subsided somewhat, moderate explosive activity may continue. Aviation alerts were briefly raised to red, then downgraded to orange as ash drifted over 500 km eastward toward the Pacific.
(source apnews.com)
—Agencies
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