Mexico volcano ALERT: Huge EXPLOSION at Popocatépetl volcano, lava and ash SPEWS into air
MEXICO volcano Popocatépetl has erupted spewing lava and ash up to 3,000 metres into the air.
Popocatepetl: Mexican volcano SPEWS lava after erupting
Locals have been warned the threat warning level remains at phase 3, meaning the chance of volcanic activity is immediate to high. The National Coordination of Civil Protection said fragments of lava were thrown 1.2miles (2km) down the slopes of the mountain, while ash blew 1.8miles (3km) towards the south-east, when it erupted just before 1am GMT this morning (8pm yesterday local time). Videos from Mexican authorities shows the volcano exploding, as lava bursts from its source.
A 12-kilometre “security radius” has been implemented around the volcano, in case of a bigger eruption.
However, the worst seems to have past with Civil Protection chief David Romero claiming the heightened activity of El Popo, as it is colloquially known, is a “normal change in the volcano”.
Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED) said people should steer clear of the volcano, as landslides and fragments of flying rock remain a danger.
A statement from the organisation read: “In the last 24 hours, through the Popocatepetl volcano monitoring systems, 61 exhalations were identified, accompanied by steam and gas, and a few exhalations with a slight amount of ash.
"An explosion was also recorded today at 06:50 h, which generated a 2.5 km column with moderate ash content, which was dispersed to the southeast, and fragments were observed on the slopes of the volcano at an approximate distance of 1000 m.
“CENAPRED emphasises that people SHOULD NOT go near the volcano, especially near the crater, due to the hazard caused by ballistic fragments and in case of heavy rains leave the bottoms of ravines by the danger of landslides and debris flows.”
“The monitoring of the Popocatépetl volcano is carried out continuously 24 hours a day.
“Any change in activity will be reported in a timely manner. The level of the Volcanic Warning Semaphore will depend on the evolution of the activity of the volcano.
Así fue vista la nueva y fuerte explosión del #Popocatépetl de las 19:48 horas de hoy jueves 28.
— Webcams de México (@webcamsdemexico) March 29, 2019
Satélite #GOES16, imágenes.
Vía: @spcver.pic.twitter.com/RsgF4oiw96
At 5,426 metres tall, Popo, which is some 70 kilometres away from the capital Mexico City, is the second largest volcano in North America, but experts say that it does not pose a huge threat to locals due to its usually dormant nature.
Last year, Popo erupted for the first time since 2000 when ash was propelled a staggering three kilometres into the sky.
Since then, there have been several smaller eruptions.