Popocatepetl, the second highest volcano in Mexico, has increased its activity in the last month.
During the last weeks, the formation has had a constant fumarole of water vapor and gas and there have been sporadic explosions that have been recorded in the scientists' chambers.
The last one was this Friday morning.
The volcanic alert semaphore is in yellow phase 2, that is, experts recommend not approaching the 12-kilometer radius of the formation, which is located between the State of Mexico, Puebla and Morelos.
🌋 # Popocatépetl |
At 11:38 a.m., an explosion was detected that generated a column of steam, gases and low ash content 1,500 m high.
♦ ️ The emission spreads to the west.
♦ ️ Traffic light 🚦 alert⚠️ # AmarilloFase2.
♦ ️ You are encouraged to ⛔ NOT go near the #volcano.
pic.twitter.com/uT6pqWO5v8
- Civil Protection Mexico (@CNPC_MX) September 17, 2021
The last explosion of the volcano, according to the most recent report from the National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred), occurred this Friday after 11 in the morning.
The blast was minor and caused a 1,500-meter fumarole.
Hours earlier, during the early morning, there had been a more intense one, which caused a column of steam twice as high, 3,000 meters.
The scientists observed incandescent fragments on the slopes of the mountain.
Experts foresee new low intensity explosions, ash emissions and the launching of incandescent fragments.
More information
The agony of Mexico's last glaciers
The Scientific Advisory Committee of the National Civil Protection System for the Popocatépetl volcano held an extraordinary meeting to assess the recent behavior of the volcano, as reported in a statement this Wednesday. Although researchers have observed an increase in volcanic activity, they have no evidence of the formation of a dome inside the crater. "As a reference," says the letter, "this increase in activity does not exceed what was observed during February and March 2019."
The volcano, which is located 90 kilometers from Mexico City, began an intense phase of activity in 1994 with lava emissions and ash explosions.
It is the second highest in Mexico, with 5,452 meters, a crater 900 meters in diameter and 150 meters deep.
Popocatepetl is one of the two active volcanoes in Mexico along with Colima, which measures 3,940 meters above sea level.
Subscribe here
to the
newsletter
of EL PAÍS México and receive all the informative keys of the current situation of this country
