PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, June 19 (RIA Novosti) - The northernmost active volcano in Russia's Far East Kamchatka Peninsula is currently spewing plumes of ash at a height of more than 5 kilometers (3 miles), the Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Services said on Saturday.

Shiveluch increased its volcanic activity in May of last year and periodically spews ash from three to eight kilometers. Scientists have registered more than 180 local earthquakes near the volcano.

Scientists have said the volcano does not pose any significant danger to villages in the area, the nearest one, Klyuchi, only 40 kilometers (around 25 miles), except for the possibility of some ash fall.

The volcano so far poses no threat to air traffic near the Pacific Ocean.