Shiveluch Volcano Eruption: Russia Update

IN The Shiveluch volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula threw out a column of ash 11.6 km high, the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Group reported, as quoted by TASS.

“The explosions threw ash from the Shiveluch volcano to a height of 11.6 km above sea level. The ash cloud extended 40 km northwest of the volcano”the announcement said.

🚨A dramatic eruption at Shiveluch Volcano in Kamchatka, captured today from space: https://t.co/yUAqS9RbgO#volcano #Shiveluch #Kamchatka pic.twitter.com/blUgUwu8UY

— Soar (@SoarAtlas) February 6, 2026

The eruption occurred at 14:08 local time (04:08 Bulgarian time). An aviation code red has been declared in the area as the volcano’s activity poses a danger to domestic and international flights.

The press service of the local branch of the Ministry of Civil Defense, Emergency Situations and Liquidation of the Consequences of Natural Disasters of Russia reported that with the change in the wind direction, a small amount of ash may fall on populated areas in Ust-Kamchatsky, Milkovskiy, Bistrinsky and Tigilsky regions of the Russian Kamchatka Territory.

Shiveluch Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: POSS ERUPTION OBS AT 20260208/0220Z FL280 EXTD W OBS VA DTG: 08/0240Z to 28000 ft (8500 m)

— VolcanoDiscovery (@volcanodiscover) February 8, 2026

Shiveluch is one of the largest and most active stratovolcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula, in the Russian Far East. It is located in the northern part of Kamchatka and is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is known for its continuous, often explosive, eruptive activity, making it one of the most closely watched volcanoes in the region. Despite its remote location, its eruptions pose a significant hazard to air traffic over the North Pacific.

Geologically, Shiveluch is a complex volcanic massif consisting of three main elements:

1. Old Shiveluch,
2. ancient caldera and
3. young Shiveluch (or Molodoy Shiveluch), which is the currently active peak.

Its highest point varies, but is usually about 3,283 meters above sea level, changing due to the growth and collapse of lava domes. Its structure is characteristic of a stratovolcano, built of layers

1. frozen lava
2. tephra, pumice and
3. volcanic ash.

It is one of the northernmost active volcanoes in Kamchatka.

Shiveluch’s eruptive history spans over 60,000 to 70,000 years, making it one of the oldest and largest active volcanoes in the region. It is characterized by periods of growth of a lava dome in the crater, followed by a sudden collapse of this dome. These collapses generate powerful pyroclastic flows that can travel many kilometers down its slopes. One of the most significant eruptions on record was that of 1964, which caused a massive collapse of the dome and the formation of a large horseshoe-shaped caldera. Ejections of ash columns reaching several kilometers in height are also common, and its activity has been almost constant in recent decades.

Due to its high activity, Shiveluch is subject to constant monitoring by the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) and the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The main hazards associated with its eruptions include:

1. ash fall,
2. pyroclastic flows and
3. lahars (mud flows).

Ash clouds are a serious problem for air routes, as they can damage aircraft engines and threaten the safety of flights.

The Shiveluch volcano is an important natural laboratory for volcanologists studying the dynamics of andesite-dacite volcanism. Its continuous activity provides valuable data for understanding volcanic processes, predicting eruptions and reducing risks, especially for global air traffic. It is a striking reminder of the dynamic geological forces at work in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Follow us