The eruption of the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano in Kamchatka is ongoing, with authorities strongly advising tourists against approaching the area.

According to Yuri Demyanchuk, a researcher at the Kamchatka Volcanological Station (located in the village of Klyuchi), volcanic activity persists: a new cinder cone has formed on the slope, ejecting molten rock fragments up to 4 km high once or twice per hour. Approaching or attempting to climb the volcano is life-threatening.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka, standing at 4,800 meters, is Eurasia’s tallest active volcano. It is situated 360 km northeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, with the nearest settlement, Klyuchi, just 30 km away.

Earlier, on May 17, the Sheveluch volcano exhibited even greater activity, producing two massive ash plumes reaching 8 and 8.5 km above sea level. The ash clouds stretched for dozens of kilometers.

Sheveluch (3,283 m) is the northernmost active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula and one of its most restless. It lies 450 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, with the closest village (Klyuchi) 50 km from its base.

Photo by Yuri Demyanchuk.