Alert level for Cleveland Volcano goes up

The Alaska Volcano Observatory on Wednesday increased the level for the volcano, a 5,675-foot peak on uninhabited Chuginadak Island about 940 miles southwest of Anchorage in the Aleutians.

The status was raised earlier this year when the center detected two small, likely ash-poor eruptions through March 13, but lowered the alert level last week after 10 days of inactivity.

Scientists can't actively monitor the volcano because there is no real-time seismic monitoring network on the volcano in the Aleutian Islands.

Authorities say sudden eruptions could occur at any time, and ash clouds 20,000 feet above sea level are possible.