The Krasheninnikov Volcano in Russia erupted for the first time in around 600 years. This event coincided with a major earthquake in the east of the country. The eruption happened on Saturday, right at the volcano’s location, which was also the epicentre of an 8.8-magnitude earthquake earlier this week. The earthquake prompted tsunami warnings for Japan, parts of the United States, and the Philippines.
Olga Girina, who leads the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), told Russia’s state news agency RIA that this is the first recorded eruption of Krasheninnikov in six centuries. She also suggested the volcanic activity might relate to the recent earthquake in Kamchatka.
The Institute of Volcanology and Seismology shared on Telegram that Krasheninnikov last erupted around 1463. Since then, there have been no known eruptions. After this latest eruption, the Kamchatka emergency ministry reported an ash plume reaching 6,000 metres (3.7 miles) high. The volcano stands at 1,856 metres tall. The ministry confirmed the ash cloud is drifting east towards the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately, no populated areas lie in its path.
Recent seismic activity in the region
Another earthquake struck the Kuril Islands earlier today. This island chain extends south from the Kamchatka Peninsula. The German Research Centre for Geosciences recorded the quake at magnitude 6.7. Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey and the Pacific Tsunami Warning System measured it at magnitude 7.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning System did not issue a tsunami alert after this quake. However, Russia’s Ministry for Emergency Services advised people via Telegram to move away from the shore. They noted that although the expected tsunami wave heights remain low, it is safer to keep a distance.
