Catastrophic eruption of Shiveluch volcano - the highest threat to aviation

 On August 17, 2024, a dramatic event took place on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia - the eruption of Shiveluch, one of the most active volcanoes in the region. The eruption began suddenly at 11:45 UTC, and the powerful explosion threw a column of ash 8 kilometers above sea level. In the following minutes, this height increased to 9 kilometers, which forced the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) to raise the aviation hazard code from Orange to Red. Shiveluch, which is part of a larger volcanic complex in the Klyuchevskoye district, is known for its frequent and violent eruptions. The eruption on August 17, caused by the eruption of the lava dome "300 years of RAS", is one of the latest examples of the dangers posed by volcanic activity in Kamchatka. The ash cloud that was created by the explosion spread 920 kilometers southeast of the volcano, and the village of Ust'-Kamchatsk experienced ashfall. Despite its menacing appearance, the eruption did not have a significant impact on the daily lives of local residents, as confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Emergencies.

The following day, August 18, 2024, KVERT confirmed that volcanic activity was still ongoing, with subsequent eruptions sending ash to a height of 5 kilometers above sea level. The ash cloud spread over 1,520 kilometers to the east and southeast of the volcano, further confirming the scale of the phenomenon.

The eruption of Shiveluch is not just a local problem. The volcano has a long history of powerful eruptions that have shaped the landscape of Kamchatka for millennia. With a volume of about 1,300 cubic kilometers, Shiveluch is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Kamchatka. Its peak, at an altitude of 3,283 meters, is part of an older volcanic structure known as Old Shiveluch, which was formed about 65 thousand years ago. The younger Shiveluch, which includes the lava dome "300 years of RAS", has been active since the Holocene and regularly provides scientists with new data on the dynamics of volcanic eruptions. Interestingly, the Shiveluch eruption occurred several hours before a 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook the coast of Kamchatka. Although the media speculated about a possible connection between the two phenomena, experts indicate that the volcanic eruption began earlier and was not directly related to the earthquake.