Powerful eruption of Sheveluch volcano sends ash to 12 km (39 360 feet) a.s.l.

A major eruption started at Russia's Sheveluch volcano at 16:20 UTC on June 14, 2017. KVERT reports a plume of ash reached a height of 12 km (39 360 feet) above sea level and warned explosions up to 15 km (49 200 feet) could occur at any time. The Aviation Color Code was raised from Orange to Red.
At 19:00 UTC, vast ash cloud (140 x 60 km / 87 x 37 miles) from the eruption was observed about 64 km (40 miles) to the southwest and 76 km (47 miles) to the northwest from the volcano, KVERT said at 19:32 UTC. By 20:20 UTC, ash cloud grew to 196 x 223 km (122 x 138 miles). Front of ash cloud with a large content of ash particles (67 x 54 km / 41 x 33 miles) was observed about 96 km (59 miles) north-northwest of the volcano, but the other front of ash cloud was 118 km (73 miles) southwest of the volcano.

Ash cloud at 20:40 UTC on June 14, 2017. A large content of ash particles is noted in red color. Credit: KVERT, IVS FEB RAS

By 22:30 UTC, ash cloud grew to 422 x 155 km (262 x 96 miles / 36 000 km² / 13 900 mi²). Ash cloud with a large content of ash particles (84 x 55 km / 52 x 34 miles) was observed 131 km (81 miles) to the north-northeast. A general front of the largest ash cloud was observed 225 km (140 miles) to the northeast, and the other about 194 km (120 miles) to the southwest. By 06:00 UTC, the front of first ash plume was about 640 km (398 miles) to the ENE of the volcano, while the front of the second ash plume was about 294 km (182 miles) SW.

Sheveluch erupting at 16:29 UTC on June 14, 2017. Credit: KB GS RAS

Huge ash plume above Sheveluch volcano around 23:30 UTC on June 14, 2017. Credit: Voznikov A.V.

At 06:56 UTC on June 14, KVERT said that explosive-extrusive eruption of the volcano continues and warned that ash explosions up to 10 - 15 km (32 800 - 49 200 feet) above sea could occur at any time. Ongoing activity could affect international and low-flying aircraft.

Taking into account the wind direction of ash plume, the city of Klyuchi, located at a distance of 50 km (31 miles) S of the volcano, is expected to be most exposed to dangerous ashfall, EMERCOM said.
"The population was notified by the stationary loudspeakers and were given advice on how to behave during the ashfall," it said, adding that the community has a sufficient number of respirators.
Residents of the districts of Ust-Kamchatsky, located about 85 km (53 miles) SSE of the volcano, and Milkovsky, about 240 km (150 miles) S, were recommended not to go out if they notice ashfall.
Furthermore, the General Directorate of EMERCOM of Russia for Kamchatka region warned the population that inhalation of ash is dangerous and can cause allergic reactions:

• If you notice ashfall, close the doors and windows.
• If the ash enters the home, family members should wear respirators, gauze bandages or breathe trough a towel.
• Cover computers, stereo, and other equipment with plastic wrap or thick cloth and do not use them during ashfall.
• If you were outside during ashfall, do not bring the clothes in the house.
• After the ashfall, wear a dust mask and goggles before cleaning the house from the ashes; clean roof gutters and other places in which ash may have accumulated.

https://watchers.news/2017/06/15/sheveluch-eruption-june-14-2017/