San Francisco  - The Mt Redoubt volcano in Alaska erupted for the first time since 1989 sending a huge plume of ash over the Arctic region, the Alaska Volcano Observatory said Monday.

Geologist Tina Neal said that five separate eruptions began late Sunday night with each lasting 10 to 20 minutes. The plume reached an altitude of more than 20,000 metres, but was drifting north, away from the city of Anchorage about 160 kilometres to the southwest. However, it forced the cancellation of at least 19 Alaska Airlines flights.

Emergency agencies in the area warned of ash clouds, mud flows and flooding caused by melting glacier as the sporadic eruptions were expected to be followed by a more sustained eruption.

Residents were warned to protect their homes by covering all electrical items, water sources and anything else that could be harmed or damaged by falling ash. They were told to seal doors and windows, turn fans off and cover ventilation areas.

The volcano last erupted in 1989-90, over a period of six months.