Russia
March 29, 2007
Two volcanoes are emitting lava and gas in Russia's Far East. Mount Klyuchevskaya, on the Kamchatka Peninsula, has started emitting lava and Shiveluch spewed out gas and ash. Scientists said that the lava flow will grow more powerful. Streams of lava with a temperature of about 1,100 C (2,012 F) are encountering ice caps, producing powerful explosions of vapor. Experts are warning of devastating mudflows that can reach 500 meters (1,640 feet) in width and can descend the volcano's eastern slopes. Local officials said "the population and companies working in the area that could be affected by mudflows" had been told to take precautions. It was the LARGEST GAS AND ASH EMISSION IN FIVE YEARS from Mount Shiveluch, Kamchatka's northernmost volcano. Clouds of volcanic ash are spreading to the northeast of the mountain, posing a threat to people's health and air flights. Volcanic tremors are being registered in the nearby area. There are more than 150 volcanoes on Kamchatka, 29 of them active. Experts say volcano activity has recently increased on the Peninsula.
Volcanoes