Europe News
Russian volcano rumbles, spews ash
Sep 13, 2011, 10:08 GMT
Moscow - A Russian volcano rumbled and spewed a towering ash column on Tuesday, as officials upped threat ratings to a maximum red level.
A column of smoke and ash from the volcano Shiveluch in Russia's Pacific coast Kamchatka peninsula has reached an altitude of 10.3 kilometres and rock slides were likely in progress, officials at Russia's National Geophysical Service (RNES) told Interfax.
The closest town at a distance of 45 kilometres was not in danger, Interfax reported.
After a long dormancy ending in 2006, Shiveluch has become one of east Russia's most active volcanoes.
Minor discharges were a frequent occurrence until May 2009, when increasingly tall ash columns thrown up by the volcano became a regular hazard for passing aircraft.
The Tuesday upgrade to a red threat level was the first time in 2011 the volcano was at its top danger rating.
Shiveluch last catastrophic eruption was in 1956. Experts have differed on whether intensifying activity in recent years could foreshadow another eruption soon.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Europe
- 1. Pope in Easter message calls for peace and religious tolerance
- 2. Magnificent Messi leads Barcelona to ninth straight win
- 3. Pope leads Easter vigil, calls for "true enlightenment"
- 4. Barcelona increase pressure on Real with romp in Zaragoza
- 5. Pope Benedict XVI leads Easter Vigil
Older Talkback
