Klyuchevskoy and Krasheninnikova volcanoes were assigned an `orange` aviation hazard code. Concurrently, Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov called for the resignation of Ivan Golovchak, the head of Vilyuchinsk, following public complaints regarding the local administration`s handling of the earthquake aftermath.
Governor Demands Resignation Amid Disaster Response Criticisms
Kamchatka Krai Governor Vladimir Solodov has demanded the resignation of Ivan Golovchak, the mayor of Vilyuchinsk, citing numerous complaints from residents following the powerful July 30 earthquake. Solodov announced on his Telegram channel that inspections of homes, social facilities, and temporary shelters in Vilyuchinsk revealed an inadequate response by local authorities to the emergency.
According to the regional government, an interim head for Vilyuchinsk will be appointed within 10 days. Vilyuchinsk, a closed city serving as a base for Pacific Fleet nuclear submarines, reportedly withstood the earthquake better than Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. This makes the governor`s criticisms of the mayor seem puzzling, according to Evgeny Sivaev, editor-in-chief of the Kamchatka Time newspaper.
Evgeny Sivaev editor-in-chief of the Kamchatka Time newspaper
«Golovchak has been mayor for only a year and a half. I believe this situation is a continuation of a pattern, especially in an election year, where any misstep by local officials or ministers results in their removal. Kamchatka lacks a strong talent pool, meaning we often replace capable individuals with less suitable ones. For instance, after a good city administrator was dismissed, a former prosecutor was appointed — a person with a different professional background. While he adapts, it’s not fair to experiment on people. A severe blizzard in March didn’t lead to dismissals, perhaps because the mayor hadn`t served as long as Golovchak. With Vilyuchinsk, it’s similar; minor shortcomings are being magnified. Despite the complaints, Vilyuchinsk didn`t suffer catastrophic damage, no one was seriously injured or killed. Unlike Petropavlovsk, Vilyuchinsk is a small city of 30,000, with separate federal funding as a closed military town. My friends there haven`t reported everything being `bad.` Petropavlovsk is in a much worse state, yet no one is being fired there. Golovchak`s communication failure might be his biggest flaw; he either didn`t engage with the public or was `trolled,` as they say. Unlike Petropavlovsk, no kindergartens collapsed in Vilyuchinsk; there aren`t obvious issues to seize upon. The earthquake was significant but thankfully distant, located in the bay, and primarily horizontal, so everyone was safe. If the governor sees issues, why doesn`t he take responsibility himself?»
Volcanic Activity Intensifies Across the Peninsula
The powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake on July 30 appears to have triggered activity in seven Kamchatkan volcanoes: Klyuchevskoy, Bezymianny, Kambalny, Karymsky, Mutnovsky, Krasheninnikova, and Avachinsky. Experts previously suggested this heightened volcanic activity was a direct consequence of the seismic event. Pavel Plechov, Director of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences and a volcanologist, commented:
Pavel Plechov Director of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, volcanologist
«Eruptions were bound to happen sooner or later; these earthquakes merely accelerated the volcanic processes. Typically, five to six volcanoes on Kamchatka are active simultaneously. Bezymianny, Shiveluch, and Klyuchevskoy erupt frequently anyway, so it`s hard to definitively attribute their current activity to the earthquake. However, the awakening of Krasheninnikova, located in the eastern volcanic zone, is surprising. Kambalny volcano, long dormant, is also showing signs of activity. Avachinsky has also become active. So, along the eastern volcanic front, it`s quite possible this is a direct result of the strong earthquake. Eruptions often develop and last for years or decades, but the most dangerous phases typically last only a few days. We must monitor the situation; so far, no threatening eruptions have occurred. It`s possible the energy has been released, and activity will subside, or it could intensify. Regarding danger, volcanoes far from populated areas pose a risk primarily to aviation. Local Kamchatka services monitor these, and airlines consult maps to select alternative routes, which usually doesn`t cause problems. For human safety, the volcanoes closest to settlements are the most dangerous: primarily Avachinsky and Koryaksky. Mutnovsky, incidentally, is also showing signs of activity. Furthermore, these volcanoes are popular tourist attractions, and to my knowledge, all tourist routes are currently suspended.»
Klyuchevskoy and Krasheninnikova volcanoes have been assigned an `orange` aviation hazard code. Klyuchevskoy has already ejected ash eight kilometers high, with forecasts indicating potential intensification and ash plumes reaching up to 10 kilometers in the coming days. Meanwhile, the ash column from Krasheninnikova volcano, erupting for the first time in 600 years, stands at six kilometers, with new ejections up to eight kilometers possible.
