Russia’s Shiveluch volcano has erupted, spewing a column of ash as high as 8 kilometres. The eruption came after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the country’s east coast, CNN reported, citing state media outlet TASS.
According to reports, lava has erupted from the volcano and there is no news of anyone being injured.
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka region at a depth of 51 km (32 mi), according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC).
There were conflicting reports about a tsunami warning. The US National Tsunami Warning Center said there was a threat of a tsunami from the earthquake. However, the Kamchatka branch of Russia’s Emergency Ministry reported there was no threat of a tsunami.
Russian officials said the aftershocks ranged in magnitude from 3.9 to 5.0.
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake struck 29 kilometers below the surface and was epicentered about 102 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is a port city with more than 181,000 inhabitants, surrounded by volcanoes and located opposite a major Russian submarine base.
Shiveluch volcano, which is located about 450 kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, is a massive, continuously active volcano. Renowned as one of the world’s largest and most volatile volcanoes, it has a history of frequent and powerful eruptions.
The Russian news agency reported that there was no “major damage” in the quake and that “buildings were being inspected for possible damage, with special attention being paid to social facilities”.
The US National Weather Service’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu warned that some coastal areas near the quake site could experience minor sea level fluctuations for several hours.
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