Strong paroxysmal explosive eruption at Bezymianny volcano, Russia

After several days of increased activity, a strong eruption took place at Russia’s Bezymianny volcano at around 04:30 UTC on October 18, 2023. As a result, the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) increased the Aviation Color Code from Orange to Red.

According to the Tokyo VAAC, the eruption ejected ash up to 11.6 km (38 000 feet) above sea level, drifting NE. Volcanic ash from previous eruptions was no longer identifiable due to meteorological clouds or because it had dissipated, the center added.

Volcanic emissions continued through at least 11:20 UTC, with some part of the volcanic ash cloud obscured by met clouds. Volcanic ash up to 6.4 km (21 000 feet) a.s.l., drifting N, was still observed in satellite imagery acquired at 05:20 UTC on October 19.

KVERT raised the Aviation Color Code to Red at 05:05 UTC and lowered it back to Orange at 09:17 UTC on October 18.

In their last VONA, issued at 09:17 UTC on October 18, KVERT said the paroxysmal explosive eruption of the Bezymianny volcano has ended.

“However, a long ash cloud 250 x 70 km [155 x 43 miles] in size continues to move north-northeast from the volcano at an altitude of approximately 8 km [26 000 feet] a.s.l. At 08:30 UTC on October 18, the northern edge of the ash cloud was located 268 km [166 miles] north-northeast of the volcano.”

Featured image: Volcanic ash cloud rising above Bezymianny volcano at 04:40 UTC on October 18, 2023. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers