The Shiveluch volcano in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula erupted early today and sent up an ash plume 10 kilometers (six miles) high into the air, posing an increased threat to air traffic. Residents were asked to remain indoors today with fears of evacuation of the area.
The team issued a code red Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation, noting that ash explosions 15 kilometers (9.32 miles) high could occur at any time.
"Ongoing activity could affect international and low-flying aircraft," it said.
The ash cloud following the eruption drifted to the west and south and measured 400 by 270 kilometers, the Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences said on Telegram.
Russian media reports indicated the ash cloud was continuing to spread.
Kamchatka has about 160 volcanoes. One of Kamchatka's largest and most active volcanoes, Shiveluch has had an estimated 60 substantial eruptions in the past 10,000 years, the last major one being in 2007.
Local authorities closed schools and ordered residents in nearby villages to stay indoors, head of the Ust-Kamchatsky municipal region Oleg Bondarenko said in a Telegram post.
