YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, March 14 (RIA Novosti, Pyotr Tsyrendorzhiyev) - A volcano on an island in a Russian chain in the Pacific has calmed down after years of sporadic activity, a local official said Monday.

Scientists say Mount Ebeko, on the island of Paramushir, is the most dangerous volcano on the Kuril Islands. The volcano started emitting vapor and gas in February, following phases of activity in 2005, 1999 and 1998.

"Satellite monitoring has shown that the volcano is calm," the Emergency Situations Ministry spokesman said, adding that the volcano did not currently pose a danger to Paramushir, or Severo-Kurilsk, a town only a few miles away.

However, the official said experts could not rule out vapor emissions in the future.

According to experts, there are 36 active volcanoes on the Kuril chain, and at least seven others are also considered to be dangerous.