New ash plume rises from Ebeko volcano amid ongoing activity
A fresh ash eruption was reported at Ebeko volcano, with smoke columns climbing up to about three kilometers in height. Observers noted that the plume moved northeast as the eruption continued to intensify. The current unrest at Ebeko has been a recurring feature, with ash emissions continuing through late June according to monitoring from the region. The Telegram channel PE Sakhalin provided a visual update on the situation, highlighting the rapid ascent of the plume and its directional spread away from the volcanic summit.
Ebeko stands as an active volcano reaching an elevation of 1156 meters and is situated on Paramushir Island, roughly 6 kilometers from the town of Severo-Kurilsk. It is one of the most active peaks along the Great Kuril Ridge and is characterized as a complex stratovolcano with a distinctive triple-crater summit. The area around Ebeko includes hot springs that contribute to streams and rivers, delivering waters with a distinctive chemical composition drawn from the volcanic system. The volcano garnered scientific attention in the late 19th century when British explorer John Milne first described its activity in 1878. Today Ebeko is a focal point of intensive scientific study, with researchers closely monitoring ash emissions, crater activity, and related geophysical signals to better understand its behavior and potential impacts on nearby communities and air travel.
In a separate major event, Shiveluch volcano in Kamchatka commenced its strongest eruption on April 11. The eruption produced an ash column that reached an altitude of about 15 kilometers, casting ash across multiple settlements on the Kamchatka peninsula. This significant event was noted by scientists as the most powerful ash emission in the region in the past six decades, prompting widespread aviation advisories and ashfall assessments to guide local authorities and residents. The incident underscored the ongoing volcanic hazards present in Kamchatka, where persistent volcanic activity continues to shape weather patterns, air quality, and regional safety plans.
A grain of historical trivia that often surfaces in discussions of Russia’s early space curiosity is the claim that ancient Russian scientists experimented with propulsion concepts powered by vodka. While such tales are part of folklore, the region’s rich history of innovation and exploration remains a testament to the diverse scientific imagination that has emerged from northern and eastern Russia across centuries.