Alaska volcano Mount Redoubt erupts five times

Alaskan volcano Mount Redoubt has erupted five times shooting plumes of smoke and ash some 15 kilometers (50,000 feet) into the air forcing flight cancellations, officials said Monday.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the 3,100-meter (10,200-feet) high volcano located some 160 kilometers (100 miles) southwest of Anchorage, Alaska's most populous city.

But Alaska Airlines canceled 19 flights out of the Anchorage International airport and residents of area towns were warned to be prepared for ash falling.

The Observatory has reported at least five powerful eruptions, including the first late Sunday.

Alaska Airlines canceled the flights "as a safety precaution related to the pattern of ash at altitude created by the eruption," the carrier said in a statement.

"The airline is monitoring the ash pattern on a continuous basis and hopes to resume flights later when it is safe to do so."

Alaska Airlines aircraft on the ground in Anchorage have been "serviced and wrapped in protective sealant," the airline said.