Context: According to a report in the media outlet of Siberian Times, an ‘ecological disaster’ unfolding on a black volcanic beach of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East.
- The cause is unknown, but the water samples recorded an increased content of petroleum products. Surfers have vision problems after contact with water, and animals die.
Key Points
- Three weeks ago, surfers on the Khalaktyrsky beach outside Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the largest town in Kamchatka, had reported of burning eyes, throat ache, headache, fever and a fear of losing eyesight on emerging from the water, according to the outlet.
- Then, sea animals begin to die in large numbers, their bodies littering the beach. These included octopuses, seals, sea urchins, stars, crabs and fish.
- Examination of the sea water by the administration has shown that levels of phenols and oil compounds have spiked.
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About Kamchatka Peninsula
- The Kamchatka Peninsula is a 1,250-kilometre-long peninsula in the Russian Far East.
- The Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk make up the peninsula’s eastern and western coastlines, respectively.
- Immediately offshore along the Pacific coast of the peninsula runs the 10,500-metre-deep Kuril–Kamchatka Trench.
- The Kamchatka Peninsula, the Commander Islands, and Karaginsky Island constitute the Kamchatka Krai of the Russian Federation.
- The vast majority of the 322,079 inhabitants are ethnic Russians, although about 13,000 are Koryaks (2014).
- The Kamchatka peninsula contains the volcanoes of Kamchatka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Additional Information
About Ecological Disaster
- An environmental disaster or ecological disaster is a catastrophic event regarding the environment due to human activity. This distinguishes it from the concept of a natural disaster.
- It is also distinct from intentional acts of war such as nuclear bombings.
- In this case, the impact of humans' alteration of the ecosystem has led to widespread and/or long-lasting consequences.
- It can include the deaths of animals (including humans) and plants, or severe disruption of human life, possibly requiring migration.