The eruption of Alaska's Mount Redoubt volcano that started Sunday night is expected to last for days or even months, experts were quoted by The Los Angeles Times as saying Monday.
The first eruption was reported at 10:38 p.m. local time (1938 GMT) Sunday, and more eruptions were followed within hours. As of 4:30 a.m. (1330 GMT) Monday, five eruptions were recorded, the paper said, citing a report by Alaska Volcano Observatory. .
Chris Waythomas, geologist with Anchorage test station under U.S. Geological Survey, said the current eruption was quite similar to what happened between 1989 and 1990. Some experts predicted the eruption might last for days, weeks or even months.
The gas and falling ash from the eruption formed plumes as high as more than 10 kilometers, seriously disrupting local air traffic. By far, 19 civil aviation flights had been canceled. However, Waythomas said it seems unlikely the eruption would have severe impact on local residents as strong wind has blown the harmful gas and the ash away from the city. .
The 10,200-foot (3,110-meter) Redoubt Volcano, roughly 180 kilometers southwest of Anchorage, last erupted during a four-month period from 1989-90.
(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2009)
