Moscow – July 30 2025 — Eurasia’s highest volcano, Klyuchevskoy on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula erupted early Tuesday following a powerful earthquake, according to Russian state media and geological monitoring agencies.
A 4,750-meter (15,584-foot) stratovolcano, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, began erupting immediately following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake off Kamchatka coast. The eruption created a huge plume of ash about 10 kilometers high that forced aviation warnings and evacuation of nearby settlements.
Russia’s Emergencies Ministry confirmed the volcanic eruption and reported that local authorities have activated contingency plans for affected villages. To date, no casualties have been reported but officials remain closely monitoring as seismically active regions continue to experience tremors.
“Volcanic activity surged significantly after the earthquake, with Klyuchevskoy beginning erupting shortly before dawn, according to a statement issued by Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT). Ash has drifted east and southeast over North Pacific waters.”
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency issued a code red warning, warning aircraft to avoid flying near a volcano. Due to this alert, numerous international flights were rerouted while local airports reported minor delays.
Klyuchevskoy volcano lies in Russia’s Kamchatka region of the Far East and forms part of the Pacific Ring of Fire–an area in which multiple tectonic plates collide geologically. Klyuchevskoy last experienced significant activity around 2020 but continues to show intermittent eruptive signs.
Scientists suggest the recent earthquake may have played a part in sparking Klyuchevskoy’s eruption. “Large seismic events can change underground magma pressure and accelerate eruptions in active volcanoes,” noted Igor Stepanov of the Russian Academy of Sciences as explaining their volcanic expertise. While Klyuchevskoy is often observed closely, this sequence of seismic activity and eruption highlights how fragile its dynamics truly are.
Local residents in villages such as Klyuchi and Kozyrevsk reported hearing rumbling sounds and witnessing a rain of ash that covered rooftops and fields, prompting emergency workers to distribute masks as protection against inhaling toxic particles. Schools within this region were closed as a safety measure, and emergency workers provided masks as protection from inhaling any potentially toxic particles that might float into the air.
Russian state television broadcasted footage showing dramatic scenes of glowing lava flows descending mountain flanks, lighting up the early morning sky. Scientists warned of possible further eruptions within days and residents were encouraged to remain alert.
The Kamchatka Peninsula boasts more than 160 volcanoes, of which 29 are active. Geologists pay particular attention to this remote region due to its unique volcanic landscape and history of sudden eruptions.
Authorities have not declared an emergency yet but stated they are prepared to expand evacuations should the situation worsen further. For now, scientists continue monitoring seismic activity and gas emissions – potentially signs of an imminent eruption episode.