Mystery ash covers parts of Washington, Oregon states

New York, Feb 7
A substance described as "white stuff" and "milky rain" covered parts of Washington and Oregon states in the US but its origin is a mystery, media reported Saturday.

"We have received reports of 'white stuff' on vehicles. The ash is more than likely from the Volcano Shiveluch," Washington state's Walla Walla County Emergency officials said in a statement, CNN reported.

The volcano, located on the Kamchatka peninsula in extreme northeast Russia, "spewed an ash plume to about the 20,000-foot level in late January", the agency said. "It has been deposited in a widespread area, including Washington and Oregon."

But in an updated post, emergency officials said it could be because of various reasons.

"While the substance is likely ash from Volcano Shiveluch, there are a number of volcanoes that are currently active," the agency said. "The source of the material has not been scientifically confirmed."