(The Watchers) – A strong gas-steam activity accompanied by ash emission continues at Sheveluch volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. The Aviation Color Code remains Orange. A gas-steam with ash plume is currently drifting NE of the volcano, KVERT reports. At 02:30 UTC, volcanic ash was observed rising up to 4.5 and 5 km (14 760 – 16 400 feet) above sea level. Ash plume/cloud is drifting 70 km (43 miles) WNW of the volcano. Ash explosions up to 8 – 15 km (26 200 – 49 200 feet) a.s.l. could occur at any time, the observatory

warns, adding that ongoing activity could affect international and low-flying aircraft. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during December 7 and 8 and December 11 – 13. A small explosion on December 12 generated an ash plume that rose 6.5 – 6.8 km (21 300 – 22 300 feet) a.s.l. That same day a gas-and-steam plume, containing a small amount of ash and drifting 150 km (93 miles) NE, was visible in satellite data. READ MORE