Ash clouds from Alaska volcano eruption could disrupt trans-Pacific flights

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Alaska volcano that has been active for nearly six months has erupted again.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory says Bogoslof Volcano in the Aleutian Islands erupted at 2:16 p.m. Sunday and sent a cloud of ash at least 10,668 metres high. The eruption lasted 55 minutes.

Ash can harm and stop jet engines. Ash from southwest Alaska volcanos is a threat airliners operating between North America and Asia when a cloud rises above 6,096 metres.

READ MORE: Alaska volcano activity decreases after dozens of flights cancelled

After the eruption, the Aviation Color Code was raised to red, the highest level.

The agency says a person on nearby Unalaska Island reports seeing a large white-grey mushroom cloud form over Bogoslof, with ash falling out to the west.