Experts: no threat from Russian volcano

• Tweet

KLYUCHI, Russia, June 19 (UPI) -- A volcano spewing ash into the atmosphere in eastern Russia poses no threat to surrounding areas or to air traffic over the Pacific Ocean, scientists say.

The Shiveluch volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula is throwing a plume of ash 3 miles into the atmosphere in the latest of a series of eruptions that began in May 2009, RIA Novosti reported Saturday.

The northernmost active volcano on the peninsula periodically emits ash to heights of 2 to 5 miles, the Kamchatka Geophysical Services said.

Scientists have registered more than 180 earthquakes in the area surrounding the volcano.

There is no significant threat to villages around the volcano -- Klyuchi, at 25 miles, is the closest -- except the possibility of moderate ash fall, experts said.