Krasnoyarsk Volcano Erupts in Russia for the First Time in 6 Centuries After Kamchatka Earthquake

Russian authorities announced the eruption of Krasnoyarsk Volcano in the Kamchatka Peninsula for the first time in over 600 years, following days of a severe earthquake in the region. The volcano, which stands 1800 meters tall, spewed a column of ash that reached an altitude of 6000 meters, according to the regional branch of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The ministry confirmed that the smoke is heading east towards the Pacific Ocean, with no impact on residential or tourist areas so far. The eruption has been classified at the orange level for aviation, indicating a potential hazard to air traffic.

This eruption follows an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, which triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, in addition to more than 65 aftershocks recorded on Saturday, 10 of which were felt by residents in the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

A response team official for volcanic eruptions in Kamchatka described the scene to RIA Novosti, saying: "We are currently witnessing lateral cracking and the formation of a lava mound alongside strong gas activity".

Kamchatka, which has 30 active volcanoes, is one of the most seismically active regions in the world due to the intersection of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. According to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the last eruption of Krasnoyarsk Volcano was in 1550.

Despite its low population density, the region attracts tourists thanks to its stunning nature, rich with bears and salmon rivers. It is worth noting that Klyuchevskoy Volcano, the highest in the area at 4750 meters, also entered an eruptive state last Wednesday, highlighting the increase in geological activity in the region.