Two volcanoes in Russia’s far east rumble into action

Flames and smoke billowing during the Klyuchevskaya volcano’s eruption on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia in March (Boris Smirnov/AP)

Towering clouds of ash and glowing lava are spewing from two volcanoes on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and scientists say major eruptions could be on the way.

The peninsula, which extends into the Pacific Ocean about 4,000 miles east of Moscow, is one of the world’s most concentrated areas of geothermal activity, with about 30 active volcanoes.