ALASKA'S most active volcano was spewing lava into the air and producing an ash cloud at low elevations yesterday.

The 8262ft Pavlof volcano started erupting this week 625 miles southwest of Anchorage on the Alaskan peninsula about 40 miles from the nearest community, at Cold Bay. An ash cloud from the volcano extends about 125 miles, but at a relatively low altitude of about 16,000ft.

Alaska Volcano Observatory said the eruption could continue for days, weeks or even months.