Long-dormant Russian volcano erupts for first time in hundreds of years

A long-inactive volcano in Russia’s Far East erupted on Sunday for the first time in hundreds of years, spewing ash miles into the sky.

The Krasheninnikov volcano, located on the remote Kamchatka Peninsula, erupted after a series of seismic events shook the region over the past week.

According to the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, where the volcano is located, this is the first eruption in “at least 400 years.”

The ash plume from the eruption rose up to four miles high. Staff members from the nature reserve were immediately evacuated from the area.

The statement from the reserve noted that the volcano is too far from any towns to pose a threat to residents.

Vsevolod Yakovlev, the reserve’s acting director, called the eruption an “exciting and fascinating event.”

He noted that Krasheninnikov is one of eight active volcanoes listed in the nature reserve.

The eruption began around 6am local time.

Researchers at the site noticed gas and vapor rising from the crater and were quickly moved to safety.

The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team confirmed that no towns or villages were within the reach of the ash plume.

Last week, the Kamchatka region was hit by a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake. That quake triggered tsunami alerts across the Pacific Ocean.

Although the tremor was powerful, authorities said no serious injuries or damage were reported.

Just hours after that earthquake, another volcano in the area — Klyuchevskoy — also erupted. Seismic activity has now continued across the region.

On Sunday, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the nearby Kuril Islands, which are also sparsely populated.

Russian authorities said there were no casualties or major damage from that quake.

The Emergency Situations Ministry briefly issued a tsunami warning, but later canceled it.

(New York Times)

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