Strong eruption at Sheveluch volcano, ash to 11 km (36 000 feet) a.s.l., Russia

A strong explosion took place at Sheveluch, one of the biggest volcanic structures in Kamchatka, Russia, late December 29 (UTC), 2018, forcing authorities to temporarily raise the Aviation Color Code to Red. 

According to video data, explosions sent ash up to 10 km (33 000 feet) above sea level and two ash plumes began to move to the NE and WSW, KVERT said 01:32 UTC today, raising the Aviation Color Code to Red.

Satellite data by KVERT showed ash plume on the height 10 – 11 km (36 000 feet) a.s.l. drift for 35 km (21.7 miles) to the north-east from the volcano, and ash plume on the height about 6 – 7 km (3.7 – 4.3 mileS) a.s.l. continues to move about 244 km (151 miles) to the WSW.

A moderate gas-steam activity of the volcano continues, the observatory said, adding that ash explosions up to 10 – 15 km (32 800 – 49 200 feet) a.s.l. could occur at any time. Ongoing activity could affect international and low-flying aircraft, it warned.

The Aviation Color Code was lowered back to Orange at 06:14 UTC.

The eruption produced a small pyroclastic flow, which spread in the SE direction up to a distance of 5 km (3.1 km).

Ash began falling in the village of Keys at about 14:30 local time today and lasted for about one hour, Head of the Kamchatka Volcano Station, Yu. Demyanchuk reported. Demyanchuk estimated that no more than 100 grams of ash fell per square meter, adding that accurate data will be reported after analysis.

All images copyright Volkstat.ru

Featured image: Sheveluch volcano eruption on December 30, 2018. Copyright: Volkstat.ru