Free Republic

Avolcano has erupted in Russia after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of the country, according to state-run media. The Russian news agency, TASS, reported that the Shiveluch volcano in the region of Kamchatka started to erupt on Saturday. CNN noted that the volcano is about 280 miles from the coastal city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, which has a population of 180,000.

A volcano erupted early Tuesday on Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. The eruption of Shiveluch, one of the area's most active volcanoes, sent clouds of dust more than 65,000 feet into the sky, engulfing villages in gray dust. The ash cloud extended over more than 300 miles and the event triggered an aviation warning. Officials closed the skies over the area to aircraft and local authorities advised residents to stay indoors, with schools shuttered and power supplies cut for two villages for a few hours.

Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Anchorage warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 70000 ft (21300 m) altitude or flight level 700 and is moving at 10 kts in NNE direction.