An erupting volcano on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula set off as many as 450 earthquakes in the local area on a single day.
The Itar-Tass news agency reported the earthquakes were recorded Wednesday around the Karymsky volcano, which is spewing ash to an altitude of up to about 3 miles into the atmosphere and that the ash cloud could be seen from hundreds of miles away.
The report said scientists have determined the volcano poses no threat to nearby settlements, but the population has been urged not to go near it.
The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry warned of a threat to planes flying in the area.
The Karymsky volcano, which has been erupting for years, is currently the most active of 28 volcanoes in the region, the report said.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
