Russia's biggest and most active volcano is expected to erupt any moment now

The group of scientists housed in an observatory which monitors the situation at the Shiveluch Volcano is called the ‘Kamchatka volcanic eruption response team’ (KVERT).

KVERTscientists believe a ‘powerful explosion’ of the Shiveluch volcano can occur at any time now, while the blast could disrupt international airfare over a substantial area.

Powerful explosion expected

The Shiveluch Volcano is Russia’s biggest volcanoand among the biggest in the far-East. The peak summit of Volcano Shiveluch is measured at an altitude of 3,283 meters.

Shiveluch is also Russia’s most active volcanowith more than 60 substantial eruptions during the last 10,000 years, Radio Free Europe reports.

According to data provided by NASA, the last powerful activity recorded on the volcano was back in 2007.

Expected disruption of international airfare

Meanwhile, the Independent reports that the explosion of the Shiveluch Volcano will likely disrupt international aviation.

According to KVERT, the eruptions during the previous days and the visual observations, of ‘lava avalanches’, especially during the night suggest an impending explosion.

‘At night, the dome glows almost over its entire surface. Hot avalanches with a temperature of 1000 degrees Celsius (1,832°F) roll down the slopes, pyroclastic flows descend. This state of the dome is observed, as a rule, before a powerful paroxysmal eruption.’

According to data provided by KVERT, on Saturday, November 19, ash clouds reached an altitude of 13,000ft(3.96km), and following an explosion the altitude of ash would quadruple into the atmosphere.

‘Ash explosions up to 10-15kms (9.32 miles) ... could occur at any time. Ongoing activity could affect international and low-flying aircraft’.

Sources used:

-Radio Free Europe: ‘Russia's Shivulech Volcano Begins To Erupt’

-NASA: 'Activity at Shiveluch Volcano'
-Independent: ‘Russia’s Shivulech volcano could burst into ‘powerful eruption’ any time’

-Hindustan Times: ‘Russia's most active volcano could burst into ‘powerful eruption’ any time’