MOSCOW (AP) – A volcano erupted early yesterday on far eastern Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, spewing clouds of dust 20 kilometres into the sky and covering broad areas with ash.
The ash cloud from the eruption of Shiveluch, one of Kamchatka’s most active volcanoes, extended over 500 kilometres northwest and engulfed several villages in grey volcanic dust.
Officials closed the skies over the area to aircraft. Local authorities advised residents to stay indoors. Schools in several affected communities were shut, and two villages had their power supplies cut for a few hours until emergency crews restored them.
