After the worst ash rain in 60 years on the Russian peninsula of Kamchatka, a state of emergency has been declared near the erupted Zhiveluch volcano. The village of Klyuchi and two other towns affected by the ash were affected, said the head of the regional authority, Oleg Bondarenko, on Saturday.
The authorities can use the state of emergency to restrict traffic and stop the work of companies, but also expand the possibilities for help.
The giant volcano erupted on April 11, the ash rose up to 20 kilometers in height. According to reports from regional media, a gray 20 centimeter thick layer of volcanic ash settled on cars, houses and roads in the snow-covered region. According to volcanologists, this was the worst ash fall in 60 years. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern this week at the images from Russia’s far east and called for more to be done to help people.
Famous for geothermal activity
The eruption could also be seen from space, as satellite images showed. After the eruption, a huge crater with a diameter of more than one kilometer had formed. The Schiweluch, which has since calmed down again, is more than 3000 meters high and is one of the largest volcanoes on the peninsula, which is world-famous for its geological activity. The giant volcano is around 450 kilometers from the regional capital of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
In the same month, the Besymyanny volcano blew up an ash column about ten kilometers high. Geologists released photos of lava and fumes escaping from the volcano.
Located about 4000 miles east of Moscow, the peninsula is one of the world’s highest concentrations of geothermal activity, with some 30 active volcanoes. Because of its volcanoes, geysers and thermal springs, Kamchatka is a dream destination for many nature lovers. The 1200 km long and up to 450 km wide peninsula of Kamchatka has around 160 volcanoes, but only very few of them are still active. The volcanic region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
