Alaska's Cleveland Volcano Alert Level Upgraded

February 10, 2008 2:16 p.m. EST

Anchorage, AK (AHN) - The Alaska Volcano Observatory has increased the alert level in the immediate of surroundings of the Cleveland volcano.

The observatory upgraded its alert for aviation and nearby communities, which include Nikolski and Dutch Harbor.

The 5,676-foot volcano on Chuginadak Island in the Aleutians spouted ash about 20,000 feet high Friday evening. Satellites spotted a diffuse ash cloud stretching northwest of the volcano. The observatory said the ash cloud dissipated on Saturday.

Short-lived explosions of ash exceeding 20,000 feet could occur without warning. There is no real-time seismic equipment in the area to determine any earthquake related activity, according to the Anchorage Daily News.

Cleveland erupted once last year and four times in 2006.