Huge ash columns have erupted from Eurasia’s tallest active volcano, forcing authorities to close schools in two towns on Russia’s sparsely populated Kamchatka Peninsula.

The eruptions from the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano sent ash as high as eight miles above sea level, officials said.

There were no reports of injuries, but officials ordered the closure of schools in Ust-Kamchatsk and Klyuchy as a precaution.

Each town has a population of about 5,000. Klyuchy is located about 20 miles from the volcano and Ust-Kamchatsk is 30 miles away.

The 15,255-foot stratovolcano has been active in recent years and released lava in June.

The Kamchatka Peninsula, which extends into the Pacific Ocean about 4,100 miles east of Moscow, is noted for its array of active and dormant volcanoes, geysers and geothermal springs.