Major Earthquake Triggers First Eruption of Krasheninnikov Volcano in 600 Years
An eruption occurred at the Krasheninnikov Volcano in Kamchatka on March 10, 2024, marking its first activity in over 600 years. Scientists and the RIA News Agency reported that this volcanic event may be linked to a significant earthquake that struck Russia’s Far East just days earlier.
According to Olga Girina, the head of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team, this eruption is the first historically confirmed instance since approximately 1463. Girina indicated that the seismic activity from the earthquake on March 6, which caused tsunami warnings as far away as French Polynesia and Chile, might have triggered the volcanic eruption. This earthquake was also followed by a separate eruption of the Klyuchevskoy Volcano, known as the most active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
The Institute of Volcanology and Seismology shared additional details on its Telegram channel, noting that the volcano last experienced lava activity around 1463, with no confirmed eruptions recorded since that time. The recent eruption has produced an ash plume that has reached an altitude of 6,000 meters (approximately 3.7 milesRussian Ministry for Emergency Services reported that the ash cloud is drifting eastward toward the Pacific Ocean, with no populated areas along its trajectory. The ministry has assigned an orange aviation code to the eruption, reflecting an increased risk to aircraft operating in the vicinity.
The region’s volcanic activity is closely monitored due to its potential impact not only on local ecosystems but also on air travel and public safety. With the newly activated Krasheninnikov Volcano, experts will continue to assess the situation and monitor for any further developments.
