Shiveluch Volcano Eruption in Kamchatka Prompts Aviation Alert

An eruption at the Shiveluch Volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula has sent an ash plume soaring up to 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) above sea level, prompting an orange aviation hazard alert. The eruption began on March 13, 2026, and the ash cloud is drifting northeast towards the Bering Sea, according to reports from the Unified Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences .

Eruption Details and Ash Cloud Trajectory

The eruption occurred at 10:05 pm local time on March 13, 2026 (10:05 am GMT). Eyewitnesses in the village of Klyuchi reported hearing explosions coming from the volcano . The ash cloud’s movement northeast poses a potential hazard to aviation routes in the region, leading to the issuance of the orange alert.

About Shiveluch Volcano

Shiveluch is an active volcano located in Kamchatka, a region known for its volcanic activity. The volcano is comprised of Old Shiveluch, an ancient caldera, and the active Young Shiveluch volcano . Scientists estimate the volcano’s age to be between 60,000 and 70,000 years . It lies approximately 50 kilometers from the village of Klyuchi and 450 kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the regional capital.

Recent Lava Dome Growth

Prior to the eruption, activity at Shiveluch included the growth of a new lava dome on the western part of Young Shiveluch. Observations on March 4, 2026, indicated the dome was actively growing, with magma rising into it. The height of the new dome had already surpassed that of Young Shiveluch, reaching an altitude of approximately 2,400 meters above sea level . Ash plumes reaching 9 km above sea level were also observed in association with the dome’s activity .

Ongoing Monitoring and Alerts

The Kamchatka branch of the Federal Research Center “Unified Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences” (FITTS YGS RAS) announced the eruption on March 13, 2026 . Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and further updates will be provided as they become available. The orange aviation alert remains in effect, advising pilots to avoid the area around the volcano.