Kamchatka volcano belches out ash to 10 km above sea level

PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, June 21 (Itar-Tass) - One of the major
volcanoes in the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Shiveluch, has belched out ash
to the elevation of 10 kilometers above sea level, sources at the
Kamchatka affiliation of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of
Sciences told Itar-Tass Tuesday.
A total of two series of local seismic events lasting from 40 minutes
to 60 minutes have been registered at the volcano. According to seismic
surveyors, they might have been accompanied by the exuding of ash to the
elevations of 6.7 kilometers and 10 kilometers respectively.
The ash columns could not be observed visually, however, since the
summit of the volcano is overcast with clouds.
There has been no fallout of volcanic ash in the nearby population
centers, including the town of Klyuchi, which is located some 30
kilometers away from the Shiveluch's foothills.
A senior researcher at the Geophysical Service said the trail of ash
had shifted northwards from the volcano where there are no townships of
villages.
In the meantime, volcanic dust and gasses may pose danger for
aviation, and all the services and agencies concerned have been notified
about it.
The Shivelush is Kamchatka's northernmost active volcano. Its absolute
elevation point is located at 3,283 meters above sea level.
The absolute elevation point of the volcano's active part, known as
Molodoi Sheveluch, is found at 2,500 metes above sea level, and its crater
has the diameter of 1.5 kilometers.
Molodoi Sheveluch became active in September 1980. It is subject to
permanent observation for 30 years by now.
According to expert assessments, the volcano does not pose any risk
for the Kamchatkan population centers at the moment.