Ash cloud produced by eruption at Klyuchevskoy reaches 14 km (46 000 feet) a.s.l., Russia

ByTeo Blašković
satellite image of ash cloud rising above klyuchevskoy volcano at 2340 utc on october 31 2023

Featured image: Ash cloud rising above Klyuchevskoy volcano at 23:30 UTC on October 31, 2023. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers

Significant activity was reported at Klyuchevskoy volcano in Kamchatka, Russia, on October 31, 2023. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red at 02:34 UTC, and satellite data indicated an ash column reaching up to 14 km (46 000 feet) above sea level at 23:10 UTC.

Klyuchevskoy volcano in Kamchatka, Russia, experienced significantly increased activity on October 31, 2023. As a result, KVERT raised the Aviation Color Code from Orange to Red. Satellite data revealed that the ash column ascended to altitudes ranging from 9.5 km to 9.8 km (31 200 – 32 150 feet) above sea level, stretching 192 km (119 miles) in a southwest direction.

The activity was characterized by intense lava fountaining at the summit vent. Jets of lava were propelled to heights exceeding 500 m (1 640 feet), contributing to the construction of an enlarging cinder cone within the main crater.

klyuchevskoy volcano kamchatka russia on october 28 2023 b
Image credit: VOLKSTAT. Acquired on October 28, 2023

Apart from the summit’s activity, emissions of fluid and glowing lava from the southeastern Apakhonchich chute have seen a noticeable uptick. These emissions have led to the formation of a lava flow that has stretched about 3.8 km (2.4 miles) from the summit, reaching an elevation of approximately 2 700 m (8 858 feet). Simultaneously, another arm of active lava continued to erupt from a vent on the volcano’s northwestern flank.

The eruption continued through the day and further intensified. Satellite data acquired at 23:10 UTC revealed that the ash cloud rose to 14 km (46 000 feet) above sea level and was extending 1 500 km (932 miles) toward the southeast of the volcano.

satellite image of ash cloud rising above klyuchevskoy volcano at 2340 utc on october 31 2023 bg
Ash cloud rising above Klyuchevskoy volcano at 23:30 UTC on October 31, 2023. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers

The summit explosive-effusive eruption of the volcano continues and the Aviation Color Code remains at a Red.

klyuchevskoy volcano webcam at 0024 utc on november 1 2023

References:

1 VONA/KVERT Information Release, October 31, 2023. KVERT, Institute of Volcanology and Seismology FEB RAS

Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.

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