Final answer:
Ash columns during volcanic eruptions can reach heights of several miles above sea level.
Step-by-step explanation:
The altitude that ash columns can reach during volcanic eruptions depends on various factors such as the eruption style, volcanic explosivity, and wind conditions. However, ash columns can typically reach heights of several miles above sea level.
For example, during the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980, the ash column reached a height of 12 to 15 miles (20-25 kilometers) above sea level, as well as during the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883, where ash reached a height of about 50 miles (80 kilometers) above sea level.