An explosive pulse at Sheveluch volcano, Kamchatka, Russia, around 04:54 UTC on January 28, 2026, sent ash to about 9 km (30 000 feet) above sea level, with a plume drifting west over the Kamchatka Peninsula. Tokyo VAAC advisories through 12:00 UTC indicate continuing ash, with tops between 6 km (19 700 feet) and 7 km (23 000 feet) after the initial 9 km (30 000 feet) eruption.
Moscow sent two military cargo planes to deliver heavy snow-clearing equipment to Kamchatka on January 22, 2026, after historic snowfall claimed two lives last week. More than 2 m (7 feet) of snow fell in the first half of January, followed by another 3.7 m (12.1 feet) in December, burying entire homes and paralyzing the region.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 struck near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, at 12:42 UTC on January 22, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 52.2 km (32.4 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
A powerful, prolonged snowstorm that began on January 12, 2026, has paralyzed the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, with snow depths reportedly reaching up to 500 cm (16 feet) in some areas. A municipal-level State of Emergency was declared for Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky after two people were killed by snow sliding off rooftops on January 15.
A powerful winter storm struck the Kamchatka Peninsula overnight on January 13, 2026, dropping 30% of the region’s monthly precipitation in 24 hours. Small avalanches were reported in snow-covered neighborhoods across the region. The storm added to existing accumulations from previous winter storms, one of which brought the heaviest snowfall on record to Moscow between January 8 and 9.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 struck the Kuril Islands region, Russia, at 07:34 UTC on January 13, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 35.8 km (22.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles).
A powerful explosive eruption took place at Bezymianny volcano in Kamchatka, Russia, on November 26, 2025, with ash reaching 11.4 km (37 400 feet) a.s.l., as of 04:00 UTC. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red due to ongoing explosions that could affect regional and international flights.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, at 03:45 UTC on November 4, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit near the coast of Kamchatka, Russia at 08:44 UTC on November 3, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
A bright green bolide, a natural meteoroid entering Earth’s atmosphere, illuminated the skies over Moscow, Russia, at around 00:30 UTC on October 27, 2025. The object produced several bright flashes and visible fragmentation as it moved across the sky, leaving a persistent trail. Analysis of multiple videos confirms its natural origin, distinguishing it from any satellite or rocket re-entry.
