Ash Plume from Shiveluch eruption

Ash Plume from Shiveluch eruption has been observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments on Terra and Aqua satellite. Shiveluch ranks among the biggest and most active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula.  Image credit: Jeff Schmaltz/NASA

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On October 6, 2012, the Kamchatka Volcanic Emergency Response Team (KVERT) reported that the ash plume from Shiveluch reached an altitude of 3 kilometers (9,800 feet) above sea level, and had traveled some 220 kilometers (140 miles) from the volcano summit.

Ash Plume from Shiveluch eruption (3)

Image credit: Jeff Schmaltz/NASA

Shiveluch (also spelled Sheveluch) rising to 3,283 meters (10,771 feet) above sea level, is a stratovolcano composed of alternating layers of hardened lava, compacted ash, and rocks ejected by previous eruptions. The beige-colored expanse of rock on the volcano’s southern slopes (visible in both images) is due to an explosive eruption that occurred in 1964. Part of Shiveluch’s southern flank collapsed, and the light-colored rock is avalanche debris left by that event.



Ash Plume from Shiveluch eruption (1)

Image credit Wikimedia

Shiveluch world map

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