Volcano erupts in Russia after 7.0 magnitude earthquake

A volcano has erupted in Russia after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of the country, according to state-run media.

The Russian news agency, TASS, reported that the Shiveluch volcano in the region of Kamchatka started to erupt Saturday. CNN noted that the volcano is about 280 miles from the coastal city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, which has a population of 180,000.

Scientists told TASS that the ash column is rising up to 8 kilometers — about 5 miles — above sea level. The volcano has also released a gush of lava, according to TASS.  

TASS reported that the daily lives of residents in the area were not affected by the eruption, just that ashfall may be reported in nearby populated areas.

The earthquake struck about 63 miles east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and occurred 18 miles below the surface, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Associated Press reported that the U.S. National Weather Service’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu initially warned that tsunami waves were possible for coasts within 300 miles of the earthquake’s epicenter. The center later lifted the threat.

The Associated Press contributed.