Chaos in the Far‑East: Klyuchevskoy Volcano Goes Banger Post‑Earthquake
What Happened? A Quick Recap
On Wednesday, the Kamchatka Peninsula was hit by a whopping 8.8‑meter mega quake. Fueled by that tremor, Russia’s massive Klyuchevskoy volcano, known for being one of the tallest around the globe, finally rumbled into action.
Seeing the Lava in Real Life
According to RIA (the Russian state news agency) and the folks at the Russian Academy of Sciences, lava is literally flowing down the western flank of the mountain. Telegram posts from the academy describe:
- “A descent of burning hot lava is observed on the western slope.”
- “Powerful glow above the volcano, explosions.”
Why this Matters
It’s not just a pretty display; the quake caused:
- Shattered buildings and multiple injuries in a remote region.
- A 4‑metre tsunami that forced thousands to evacuate.
- A 1.2‑metre wave that rattled Hawaii, prompting tsunami alerts across the Pacific, from North America to New Zealand.
Keeping It Simple: The What, Who, and Where
The epicenter of the quake was about 119 kilometres east‑southeast of Petropavlovsk‑Kamchatsky. This was the sixth‑largest quake ever recorded, and its aftershocks set the fire‑alarmed volcano’s dormant period to “closed”.
Stay Informed & Stay Safe
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