Volcano Shoots Ash 8 Miles High in Alaska

Augustine Volcano about 75 miles soutwest of Homer, Alaska billows steam and ash Thursday Jan. 12, 2006. The intensity of Augustine Volcano's seismic rumblings on Thursday fell to pre-eruption levels a day after two brief explosions spewed ash five miles (8 kilometers) into the skies over Cook Inlet, but scientists still anticipate another eruption. (AP Photo/Scott Dickerson)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) _ Augustine Volcano erupted Tuesday morning, sending an ash plume 8 1/2 miles into the air, officials at the Alaska Volcano Observatory said.

Because winds are moving in different directions at different elevations, an ash fall advisory was issued for communities along the southwest portion of the Kenai Peninsula and east of the volcano, in the Kamishak and Iliamna bays.

"Light ash can be expected, nothing that would accumulate in any thickness,'' said Michelle Coombs, a geologist at the observatory.

The 4,134-foot volcano last erupted in 1986. The volcano began erupting again Jan. 11. The latest eruption lasted for five minutes, and started just before 8 a.m.

A web cam and earthquake count graphic are available here.

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