Russian volcano spews ash

Photo: Contributed - Y. Demyanchuk

A volcano in Russia's Far East has erupted, belching a plume of ash more than eight kilometres above sea level, creating a possible hazard for local air traffic.

The Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in the Kamchatka area reported on Tuesday that plumes of smoke from the Zhupanovsky volcano was drifting east into the Pacific Ocean.

The institute also issued a code orange, signalling that an eruption is underway, warning aircraft to avoid flying near the explosion site.

The volcano is 70 kilometres from the nearest town, and no ash from the eruption has drifted into populated areas, the local emergency services told the Russian Tass news agency.