Two active volcanoes on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula are currently spewing plumes of ash at a height of up to 8 kilometers (5 miles), Russian scientists reported on Saturday.
The 3,283-meter (10,771-foot) Shiveluch volcano increased its volcanic activity in May 2009 and periodically spews ash from three to eight kilometers (1.9-5 miles).
"Visual monitoring of the volcano is limited, but seismological data suggests that some of the quakes are accompanied by gas and ash eruptions to about 8 kilometers and lava spillage," a source in the regional branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Geophysical Service told RIA Novosti.
The 1,486-meter (4,875-foot) Karymsky is the most active volcano of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone. Its activity increased dramatically in 1996 and continues with periodic eruptions until the present.
"About 180 local tremors were registered in the past 24 hours near the Karymsky volcano. At least of the earthquakes were accompanied by an ash eruption to a height of about six kilometers (3.7 miles)," the source said.
Clouds of volcanic ash could pose threat to air traffic because the tiny particles cause problems with aircraft engine turbines.
So far, local authorities issued no warnings to air traffic in the area.
There are more than 150 volcanoes on Kamchatka, 29 of them active.
PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, July 3 (RIA Novosti)
