Kliuchevskoi Volcano’s Alert Level Raised to Red Amid Increased Eruptive Activity

Local authorities have elevated the air alert code for the Kliuchevskoi volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula from orange to red due to heightened eruptive activity.

In a statement via its Telegram channel, the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), part of the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology at the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, reported an ongoing explosive-effusive eruption. Satellite data indicates ash plumes reaching up to 9.5 kilometers above sea level, with ash dispersing approximately 141 kilometers to the east-southeast of the volcano.

KVERT has cautioned that ash explosions could reach altitudes of 10 kilometers at any moment, potentially affecting international flights and those operating at lower altitudes in the region.

Standing at approximately 4,754 meters, Kliuchevskoi is recognized as the tallest active volcano in Eurasia.

The recent surge in eruptive activity follows an earthquake measuring 8.8 in magnitude that struck off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula last week.