PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, November 6 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's northernmost active volcano is emitting ash to a height of 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) in Russia's Far East, the local geophysics service said on Thursday.

The 3,283-meter (10,771-foot) Shiveluch volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula last erupted in December 2006 and has been active ever since with the volcano spewing out gas and ash up to 8,000 meters (26,000 feet).

The local seismological service reported registering nearly 170 tremors within the area in the past 24 hours.

According to specialists, the volcanic activity over the past two-three years has significantly altered the contour of the volcano with the crater increasing in size by 50% and the slopes becoming far steeper than previously.

The volcanic eruption poses no threat to Kamchatka settlements, although the clouds of volcanic ash are causing problems for air traffic.