A volcano erupted last night on Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, spewing clouds of dust 20km into the sky and covering broad areas with ash.
The ash cloud from the eruption of Shiveluch, one of Kamchatka’s most active volcanoes, extended more than 500km northwest and engulfed several villages in grey volcanic dust.
Officials closed the skies over the area to aircraft. Local authorities shut schools in several affected communities and advised residents to stay indoors. Two villages had their power supplies cut for a few hours until emergency crews restored them.
