Alaska volcano sends up ash cloud; aircraft warning issued

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Volcano Observatory reports the latest eruption of a volcano in the Aleutian Islands sent up an ash cloud that could affect jet traffic.

Bogoslof Volcano erupted at 10 a.m. Monday.

A pilot reported seeing the accompanying ash cloud at 32,000 feet.

Ash clouds above 20,000 feet can harm jet airliners traveling between Asia and North America.

Pilots warned of ash clouds fly over or around them to avoid engine damage.

The observatory says seismic and infrasound data suggested that the ash emission continued after the initial eruption.

Winds were pushing the cloud south. No hazards for communities were expected.

Bogoslof has erupted periodically since mid-December. The volcano is 850 miles southwest of Anchorage.