ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaska's most active volcano is spitting lava into the air and producing an ash cloud at low elevations.
The 2,518-meter Pavlof Volcano started erupting this week in a relatively uninhabited area of the Alaska Peninsula, about 1,000 kilometres southwest of Anchorage. The closest community is about 65 kilometres away.
Observers reported seeing dark snow on the surface of the volcano Wednesday, indicating an eruption has started. The eruption intensified that afternoon and continued Friday.
An ash cloud from the volcano extends about 200 kilometres, but at a relatively low altitude of about 4,900 metres.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory says the eruption could continue for days, weeks or months.
The volcano has had more than 40 eruptions this year and last.
