An erupting volcano in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands despatched a towering cloud of ash into the air – prompting the National Weather Service to problem an inflight warning to pilots.

Mount Shishaldin started erupting on Tuesday, the Alaska Volcano Observatory mentioned.

A US coastguard overflight confirmed lava erupted the identical day inside the summit crater.

A big explosion at 1.09am on Friday produced an ash cloud that reached as much as 40,000ft and drifted south over the Pacific Ocean.

The National Weather Service issued an inflight climate advisory as a result of drifting ash cloud.

Volcanic ash is angular and sharp and has been used as an industrial abrasive.

The powdered rock may cause a jet engine to close down.

The volcano is 679 miles southwest of Anchorage close to the centre of Unimak Island, the most important island within the Aleutians.

False Pass, a village of 40 individuals, is on the island’s east aspect.

It rises to 9,373ft and is the best peak within the Aleutians.

Shishaldin is likely one of the most lively volcanoes within the Aleutian volcanic arc.

Most eruptions are small.

An occasion in 1999 spewed an ash column that reached 45,000ft.

The volcano is monitored with seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite tv for pc information, an internet digital camera and distant infrasound and lightning networks.