7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Triggers Shiveluch Volcano Eruption in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's east coast on Sunday morning, leading to a significant volcanic eruption. The quake, which hit at 7:10 a.m. local time, had its epicenter about 63 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and a depth of 18 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The powerful tremor triggered an eruption at the Shiveluch volcano, one of the largest and most active in the Kamchatka Peninsula. The volcano, standing at 10,770 feet, sent a column of ash rising as high as 5 miles above sea level, accompanied by a gush of lava, reported state-run TASS. The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team issued a "red" code warning due to the significant ash presence in the atmosphere.

Despite the magnitude of the earthquake and the volcanic activity, no injuries have been reported. The Russian Emergencies Ministry did not issue a tsunami warning. Several aftershocks of lower magnitude were recorded following the initial quake.

Footage from Zvezda showed the village of Ust-Kamchatsk, located on the eastern shore of the peninsula, covered in a layer of ash on Sunday. The ash plume from Shiveluch extended about 944 miles, according to the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team. An orange hazard warning was issued for the area due to ongoing ash emissions.