Shiveluch, a towering volcano in Kamchatka, unleashed a fresh ash plume that rose to approximately 12 kilometers above the arc, according to the regional branch of the United Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences as cited by TASS. This powerful eruption, ongoing since late April, marks another chapter in the long activity history of one of Russia’s most observed volcanoes.
Data from the service indicate that the initial eruption began on 11 April at 00:54 local time, and the ash cloud expanded rapidly, with the plume reaching around 12,000 meters above sea level. In the course of the activity, the ejecta formed a wide arc, with the plume breadth expanding from roughly 250 kilometers to as much as 400 kilometers, influencing a broad swath of airspace and surrounding regions.
Satellite observations corroborate these figures, noting the ash emission reaching about 12 kilometers into the atmosphere. The persistence of the eruption underscores the ongoing nature of the event and its potential to affect aviation and local weather patterns in the region for days to weeks ahead.
Earlier assessments from the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology FEB RAS highlighted that the ashfall in Kamchatka’s Klyuchi village, which began with the eruption on 11 April, represented the most intense ash deposition witnessed in six decades. As ash continued to fall, measurements indicated a notable accumulation on the ground, with the ash layer reaching several millimeters in places, reflecting substantial atmospheric loading and surface impact on infrastructure, agriculture, and water sources.
Further analyses from FEB RAS specialists showed that the ash plume stretched northwest, dispersing ash particles across a corridor extending hundreds of kilometers. This expansive reach underscores the interconnected nature of volcanic plumes with regional meteorology, including wind patterns at varying altitudes, which govern how ash is distributed and how long it remains suspended in the atmosphere. The ongoing activity at Shiveluch therefore requires continuous monitoring by volcanologists, meteorologists, and aviation authorities to issue timely advisories and to adjust flight routes as needed for safety.