Twin disasters: Volcano awakens on Russia's Kamchatka after massive earthquake
Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano (photo: wikipedia.org)
A volcanic eruption has begun on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula following a massive earthquake. Klyuchevskaya Sopka, the highest volcano in Eurasia, has become active, according to the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
It is reported that hot lava began flowing down the western slope of Klyuchevskaya Sopka. A glow is visible above the volcano, and explosions from ash and lava emissions can be heard.
During the day on July 30, the volcano, according to Russian geophysicists, emitted a three-kilometer ash cloud, followed by lava. Klyuchevskaya Sopka had already shown signs of increased activity — a glow above the crater and ash emissions.
However, after the earthquake that shook Kamchatka on the night of July 30, volcanic activity significantly intensified. In particular, large-scale lava emissions began.
What is known about Klyuchevskaya Sopka
Klyuchevskaya Sopka is a so-called stratovolcano located on the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, in Kamchatka Krai, Russia. It is classified as a stratovolcano because its summit rises 4,754 meters above sea level, making it the highest volcano in Eurasia.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka is also considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Eruptions of this volcano have been observed since approximately the late 17th century.
The last eruption occurred in November 2023. At that time, the ash rose to a height of 13 kilometers, which primarily affected air traffic, not only in Russia but also in the United States and Canada.
Kamchatka karma: What is known about the earthquake
On the night of July 30, a strong earthquake occurred off the coast of Kamchatka in Russia's Far East. It was described as the most powerful in the region in more than 70 years, with a magnitude of nearly 9.
The United States and Japan issued tsunami warnings following the earthquake. As a result of the disaster, the Kuril Islands were partially flooded, and a four-meter wave struck Sakhalin and the eastern coast of Russia.
In Russia, this earthquake has already been called the most powerful since 1952, when more than two thousand people died in the region. RBC-Ukraine compiled material on what to expect from the earthquake. We also explained where Kamchatka is located — the place where this particular "karma" struck Russians.
