Dec 30, 2011

Alaska volcano sends ash plume into sky – USATODAY

Excerpt - The Alaska Volcano Observatory said satellite images showed Cleveland Volcano had spewed ash 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) into the air in a cloud that moved east-southeast. U.S. Geological Survey scientist-in-chargeJohn Power called it a small explosion.

"It's not expected to cause a disruption to big international air carriers," he said.

But the event drew strong interest from air carriers.

"Any time you put an ash cloud up into the atmosphere, the airlines, the air carriers, air freight companies — it's a major concern," Power said.