Anchorage: Alaska's most active volcano is spitting lava into the air and producing an ash cloud at low elevations.
The 8,262-foot (2,518-meter) Pavlof Volcano started erupting this week in a relatively uninhabited area of the Alaska Peninsula, about 625 miles (1,000 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage. The closest community is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) 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 on Friday.
An ash cloud from the volcano extends about 125 miles (200 kilometers), but at a relatively low altitude of about 16,000 feet (4,900 meters).
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.
