The News

Popocatépetl Continues Activity

The Popocatépetl volcano released 63 exhalations and three explosions, in addition to two volcanic earthquakes with magnitudes of 1.8 and 1.7 Richter, reported the National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred), a part of the Interior Secretariat (Segob).

According to the agency’s monitoring report, due to cloudy climate conditions in the area, the Popocatépetl was not visible.

Cenapred urged citizens not to approach the volcano, especially the crater, citing the danger of falling fragments. The agency maintains the Phase 2 Yellow Alert, as the explosive activity is expected to continue on a small to intermediate scale.

Residents wear masks to protect themselves from ash after an early eruption of Popocatepetl volcano in Puebla, Mexico. Photo: Reuters/Imelda Medina

This phase may also include mild to moderate ash rains in nearby towns and the possibility of short-range pyroclastic and mud flows.

The agency recommends continuing the established safety radius of 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), and people are banned from the area. It also maintains a controlled traffic between Santiago Xalitzintla and San Pedro Nexapa, via Paso de Cortés.

Civil Protection authorities asked people to keep up preventive procedures, according to stated operational procedures, and to remain attentive to official information regarding the volcanic activity.