The Krasheninnikov volcano in Russia's eastern Kamchatka region erupted for the first time in 450 years, spewing a towering plume of ash 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) into the sky, according to Kamchatka's Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The eruption, which occurred on Sunday, follows a magnitude 8.8 earthquake—the strongest since Japan’s 2011 disaster—that struck the region on Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings and widespread evacuations.

Russian state media released images showing the dramatic ash plume rising from Krasheninnikov, which last erupted in 1550, per the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program. The plume is drifting eastward toward5 the Pacific Ocean, with no ashfall reported in populated areas, the ministry said in a Telegram post. An "orange" aviation hazard code has been issued, signaling potential disruptions to flights in the region.

This eruption comes just days after another Kamchatka volcano, Klyuchevskoy—the highest active volcano in Europe and Asia—erupted on Wednesday. Klyuchevskoy has seen frequent activity, with at least 18 eruptions since 2000.The recent volcanic activity follows a devastating earthquake off Petropavlovsk, which caused significant damage, including a tsunami that inundated the port of Severo-Kurilsk and submerged a fishing plant. The quake prompted evacuations across coastal regions from Japan to Hawaii and Ecuador.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as the region grapples with the aftermath of these natural disasters. (ILKHA)