For 2nd day, Alaska volcano eruption sparks aviation alert

For the second straight day, the Alaska Volcano Observatory issued its highest alert level for aviation when a volcano erupted with a towering ash cloud in the Aleutian Islands.

Observatory volcanologist Robert McGimsey says Wednesday afternoon’s eruption of the Bogoslof volcano was “almost a carbon copy” of an eruption 24 hours earlier.

He tells The Associated Press that both eruptions prompted the highest alert level and both were downgraded hours after the events.

Tuesday’s eruption sent ash and steam 34,000 feet into the air, while Wednesday burst went 1,000 feet higher. Officials say both volcanic explosions were also short-lived.

The observatory said early Thursday that it was reducing the alert level because there had been no recent volcano activity.

The volcano is located on an island of the same name in the Bering Sea about 850 miles southwest of Anchorage.