High-level eruption at Sheveluch volcano, Russia
A high-level eruption at Sheveluch volcano in Kamchatka, Russia, at 07:25 UTC on July 5, 2026, sent volcanic ash as high as 12.2 km (40 000 feet) and prompted authorities to raise the Aviation Color Code to Red. Satellite observations later confirmed continuing ash emissions drifting southwest.
Ash rising over Sheveluch volcano, Russia at 08:30 UTC on July 5, 2026. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
An explosive episode at Sheveluch volcano in Kamchatka, Russia, sent ash to 12 km (39 400 feet) above sea level at 07:16 UTC on July 5. Later that day, a 222 x 45 km (138 x 28 miles) ash cloud from the eruption was located over Elizovo Airport and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, according to the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT).
KVERT raised the Aviation Color Code from Orange to Red at 07:36 UTC on July 5 after video observations confirmed an approximately 10-minute explosion. The ash cloud was observed extending 10 km (6 miles) west of the volcano at 07:35 UTC.
The event followed elevated activity beginning on July 3. At 20:05 UTC that day, explosions sent ash to 10.5 km (34 400 feet) above sea level, prompting KVERT to raise the Aviation Color Code from Orange to Red at 21:56 UTC.
Satellite data showed the July 3 ash cloud extending 63 km (39 miles) northwest of the volcano at 21:00 UTC. KVERT reported that the explosive-extrusive eruption was continuing, accompanied by powerful gas-steam activity and growth of a new lava block in the northern part of the lava dome.
At 02:58 UTC on July 4, KVERT lowered the Aviation Color Code to Orange after no further ash explosions were observed. However, satellite imagery at 01:50 UTC showed a remnant ash cloud from the July 3 event, measuring about 80 x 55 km (50 x 34 miles), located 195 km (121 miles) northwest of the volcano.
Ash clouds from an earlier July 2 explosion, which had reached 11 km (36 100 feet) above sea level, remained visible in satellite imagery. By early July 4, the northern edge of that cloud was 385 km (239 miles) northwest of Sheveluch, while the southern edge extended 984 km (611 miles) south-southeast of the volcano.
The latest KVERT notice, issued at 01:45 UTC on July 6, said no new ash explosions had been observed. A remnant ash cloud measuring about 215 x 100 km (134 x 62 miles) was located 630 km (391 miles) southwest of Sheveluch.
Although the agency lowered the Aviation Color Code from Red to Orange at that time, explosive extrusive eruption continued, with powerful gas-steam activity and continued growth of the lava block in the northern part of the dome.
KVERT warned that ash explosions to 12 km (39 400 feet) above sea level could occur at any time and that ongoing activity could affect international and low-flying aircraft.
References:
1 Volcanic activity notices for Sheveluch – KVERT – July 3-6, 2026
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