The volcanic eruption is nearly 10km high

The column of dust is about 9500m high, rising from the top of a volcano in Russia's Far East during the eruption yesterday.

RIA Novosti reported Shiveluch volcanic eruptions - 3283m high - on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula began to increase from May 2009. Since then it has regularly spewed dust columns with elevations of 3 to 10 km.

Shiveluch volcano on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula.

"A strong eruption occurred at 5:59 am on April 16 in local time. One could see the pillar of dust from a distance of 40km and it was moving east. This is the strongest eruption of the year." , an official at Russia's Far East Volcanic and Geological Institute said.

Scientists say the Shiveluch volcanic activity in the past two to three years has dramatically changed its shape. The size of the ridge increases by 50%, while the slopes are more steep than before.

The latest eruption does not threaten population around the volcano Shiveluch, but its smoke and dust can become a threat to human health and the environment in the coming days. Volcanic dust can cause problems in aircraft engines. However, officials have not issued warnings for air operations in the area around the volcano Shiveluch.

More than 150 volcanoes exist on the Kamchatka peninsula, of which 29 are active.