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Alaska volcano erupts four times Alaska volcano erupts five times
(about 7 hours later)
Mount Redoubt volcano in the US state of Alaska has erupted, sending a cloud of ash 15km (50,000ft) into the air.Mount Redoubt volcano in the US state of Alaska has erupted, sending a cloud of ash 15km (50,000ft) into the air.
The volcano, 166km (103 miles) from Anchorage, erupted late on Sunday, with three more explosions early on Monday. The volcano, 166km (103 miles) from Anchorage, erupted late on Sunday, with four more explosions early on Monday.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory has issued a red alert, meaning an eruption with significant amounts of ash is imminent or under way. Ash from the explosion has fallen on towns north of Alaska's largest city, Anchorage, but the city itself has not been affected by the eruption.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service said they expected fine ash to begin falling later on Monday morning. Alaskan Airlines cancelled 19 flights because of the ash, which can cause damage to jet engines.
"The ash cloud went to 50,000 feet and it's currently drifting towards the north-east," Janet Schaefer, a geologist at the Alaska Volcano Observatory told the Associated Press (AP). Dozens of aircraft at the Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage were being sheltered as a precaution against the falling ash.
It is expected the ash cloud will pass west of the city of Anchorage, moving towards Willow and Talkneetna, two communities near Mount McKinley. "Just kind of a light dusting," was how Dave Stricklan, a hydrometeorogical technician with the National Weather Service, described the expected ash fall.
Dave Stricklan from the National Weather Service told AP he expected the ash fall to be "just kind of a light dusting". "There's going to be a very fine amount of it that's going to be suspended in the atmosphere for quite some time," he added.
Most of the ash probably fell down the side of Mount Redoubt, he said. Volcanic ash can cause skin irritation and breathing problems.
The observatory warned in late January that an eruption was likely after the volcano showed signs of activity.
Mount Redoubt, which stands 3,100m (10,200ft) high, last erupted over a four-month period from 1989 to 1990.Mount Redoubt, which stands 3,100m (10,200ft) high, last erupted over a four-month period from 1989 to 1990.
Scientists monitoring the area warned in late January that an eruption was likely.
On Sunday, officials raised the alert level after researchers recorded increased seismic activity.