YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, August 4. /TASS/. The Aviation Color Code in Russia’s Far Eastern Kuril Islands has been downgraded from orange to green as the Chikurachki Volcano on Paramushir Island reverted to its normal, non-eruptive state, as spokesman for the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) said on Thursday.

"The volcano showed activity on July 27-28, 2016, when it spewed ash to an altitude of four to five kilometers. Light ash fall was observed in the city of Severo-Kurilsk. Volcanic activity ceased on July 28. So, its Aviation Color Code has been downgraded to green," the spokesman said.

Color codes, recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) procedures, are used to inform the aviation sector about a volcano's status, i.e. its increased or decreased activity. Green means that a volcano is non-eruptive or its activity is considered to have ceased. Yellow means a volcano is showing signs of elevated unrest above typical background levels or its activity has decreased considerably. Orange means a volcano is exhibiting increased activity with likelihood of eruption. Red means an eruption is highly possible or underway.

Chikurachki (1,816 meters high) is the highest peak on Paramushir Island and the northernmost volcano of the Karpinsky Ridge. It is located some 60 kilometers of Severo-Kurilsk. It is a stratovolcano resting on top of the high-lying remnants of an older and now extinct predecessor volcano. It is one of the region's most active volcanoes. Its last eruption was registered in April 2015. Other powerful eruptions took place in 1853-1859, 1958, 1961, 1964 and 1973.