Powerful eruption at Bezymianny volcano, ash to 15.2 km (50 000 feet) a.s.l., Russia

A powerful eruption took place at Russian Bezymianny volcano at 17:29 UTC on March 15, 2019. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red earlier in the day and lowered back to Orange at 21:20 UTC.

KVERT raised the Aviation Color Code to Red at 11:00 UTC today, stating that activity of the volcano continues to grow.

Amount of hot avalanches from the lava dome top considerably increased, ash plumes from avalanches extend for about 100 km (62 miles) to the SE of the volcano and the temperature of the thermal anomaly over the volcano began to grow, the observatory said at the time.

This activity culminated with a powerful eruption at 17:29 UTC, with volcanic ash ejected up to 15.2 km (50 000 feet) above sea level. 

Ash cloud 79 x 65 km (49 x 40 miles) in size is drifting ENE of the volcano, KVERT said 18:53 UTC.

The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Orange at 21:20 UTC. However, moderate eruption of the volcano continues with explosions ejecting ash up to 4.5 km (2.8 miles) a.s.l. 

The large eruptive cloud 120 x 130 km (74 x 81 miles) in size on the height about 15 km a.s.l. continues drifting east of the volcano.

Ash plume rising from Bezymianny volcano at 21:30 UTC on March 15, 2019. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA, TW

15:00 – 21:30 UTC, March 15, 2019 – GeoColor (CIRA)

15:00 – 21:30 UTC, March 15, 2019 – GeoColor (CIRA), SO₂ (JMA), Ash (EUMETSAT)

Featured image: Eruption of Bezymianny volcano at 17:29 UTC on March 15, 2019. Credit: KB GS RAS