Shiveluch Volcano

Shiveluch Volcano

Volcano erupts on Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia. NASA tells us why we care:

At least 60 large eruptions have occurred during the last 10,000 years; the largest historical eruptions were in 1854 and 1964. Because Kamchatka is located along the major aircraft routes between North America/Europe and the Far East, this area is constantly monitored for potential ash hazards to aircraft.

This eruption seems to be pretty big, ash has been spread over 40,000 square miles and is as much as five inches deep in some places.

Russia

This image makes it look much worse that it really is. This place is still covered with snow, so what we see here is just a layer of ash on top of snowdrifts.