MEXICO CITY – The Popocatépetl volcano recorded 110 low-intensity exhalations in the last 24 hours, accompanied by emissions of water vapor, gases and light amounts of ash, reported the National Disaster Prevention Center (Cenapred).
Two explosions occurred Monday night, at 10:21 and at 11:28 p.m. Although there was only partial visibility of the mountain, a very weak emission of steam and gas was observed, dispersed by northeasterly winds.
Popocatéptl is located 70 kilometers (43 miles) southeast of Mexico City and is the country’s most active volcano. Its last major eruption occurred in 1947, although a minor eruption of ash and incandescent material was observed April 3.
According to the monitoring report from the Interior Secretariat agency, a light incandescence was observed overnight, that increased with some of the exhalations.
Throughout the morning light emissions of water vapor and gas were observed scattered by winds, while other monitoring parameters remain without significant changes.
Cenapred urged citizens not to approach the volcano, especially the crater, citing a danger of falling ballistic rock fragments, which maintains Volcanic Yellow-light Alert Phase 2, meaning low to intermediate explosive activity is expected to continue.
Moderate rains of ash were registered in nearby towns, also the possibility of short-range pyroclastic and mud flows.
The agency recommends following the established safety radius of 12 kilometers, where permanent habitation is not allowed, and that traffic between Santiago Xalitzintla and San Pedro Nexapa remains routed via Paso de Cortés.
Civil Protection authorities asked to maintain preventive procedures, according to their operational plans, and the population to be attentive to official information as it is disseminated.
Shown below is an explosion from Monday night.
Explosión débil 23:30 h de ayer. pic.twitter.com/RfOjEOQ1Dj
— Volcán Popocatépetl (@Popocatepetl_MX) April 12, 2016
