For the second consecutive day on Wednesday, a volcano on Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula erupted, ejecting clouds of ash high into the sky and blanketing vast areas, the Associated Press is reporting.

Shiveluch, one of Kamchatka’s most active volcanoes, commenced its eruption early Tuesday, releasing dust over 500 kilometers (over 300 miles) northwest and smothering several towns in grey volcanic ash, marking the largest fallout in almost 60 years.

The Kamchatka division of the Russian Academy of Sciences Geophysical Survey reported that the eruption persisted on Wednesday, discharging dust clouds 10 kilometers (over 6 miles) into the atmosphere.

Since the eruption began, the region has been off-limits to aircraft, and residents have been instructed to remain indoors.

The villages, located approximately 50 kilometers (around 30 miles) from the volcano, were covered by a layer of dust measuring 20 centimeters (nearly 8 inches) thick.

Videos posted by residents depicted the ash cloud plunging the area into darkness, as reported by the AP.

Written by staff