Popocatepetl volcano spewing ash and steam, seen from Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
A few hours away from one of the world’s largest cities, the Popocatepetl volcano covered nearby towns with ash and disrupted flights at Mexico City’s airport, the busiest in Latin America.
Hundreds of eruptions have lava from the snowy peak of Popocatepetl (puh-puh-ka-TEH-pet-tl). About 25 million people live within 60 miles of the mountain. Volcanologists say that although a massive eruption does not seem imminent, eruptions are likely to continue, as they have for three decades.
What’s going on with POPOCATEPETL VOLCANO?
Pre-Hispanic writings speak of intense activity in Popocatépetl at the beginning of the sixteenth century. Scientists at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have been tracking the volcano’s movements since its burst of activity in 1994.
In Guatemala, the Fire Volcano claimed hundreds of lives in a 2018 eruption. It recently prompted evacuations to increase activity as well. Known as “Bobo,” the Mexican volcano experienced periods of intense activity between 2000 and 2003, and again between 2012 and 2016. In 2000, this activity led to a red alert and evacuations before the volcano subsided again.
In the past weeks, the volcano has entered another of those periods. Authorities are spewing ash, gas, and lava, and have raised the alert level to yellow, second on the stoplight pattern scale, but it hasn’t reached red yet.
Women stand on a street covered in ash from the Popocatepetl volcano in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, Monday, May 22, 2023. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week. No evacuation orders have been issued, but authorities are preparing for that scenario and are asking people to stay outside a 7.5-mile (12-kilometre) radius around the peak. Photo credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
Is a major collapse imminent?
Scientists and Mexican authorities say there is no indication that the current waves of small explosions will turn into anything more devastating, said Servando de la Cruz Reyna, a senior research geophysicist at UNAM in Mexico City, adding that “there is nothing new or surprising.” . About recent movements.
“The possibility of this continuing as it once was is much higher than the possibility of this growing to much higher levels,” he said.
Popocatépetl has been active for half a million years. Its last major eruption occurred over a thousand years ago.
What is the government doing?
Authorities closed schools in dozens of municipalities in three states, put troops on alert, prepared shelters and carried out evacuation drills. Other than that, they encourage people to stay calm.
“The volcano’s movements are being monitored 24 hours a day,” Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday in his morning briefing.
Esteban De Olarte Agustin stands next to his car contaminated with ash from the Popocatepetl volcano that has covered the streets in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, Monday, May 22, 2023. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week. No evacuation orders have been issued, but authorities are preparing for that scenario and are asking people to stay outside a 7.5-mile (12-kilometre) radius around the peak. Photo credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
What is likely to happen?
Popocatepetl’s recent activity isn’t necessarily a bad thing, said Robin Campion, a volcanologist at the Institute of Geophysics. The scientist explained that small eruptions relieve pressure from the magma inside the mountain, possibly meaning that it will not lead to larger accumulations and eruptions.
“The good thing is…it’s constantly releasing energy,” said Campion. “We hope it continues to be as steady and moderate as it is, so it doesn’t erupt all at once, like it did in prehistoric times.”
As the blowing continues, the ash could eventually become a problem in surrounding areas, particularly in the 7.5 miles surrounding the volcano, but also in Mexico City.
While the ash is not toxic, Valdés, head of the National Seismological Service in UNAM, said it could affect breathing and air quality, and it also continues to affect flights to and from Mexico City International Airport.
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Paulino Alonso Rivera, who works for Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention, gives an interview as he observes the Popocatepetl volcano, in Mexico City, February 8, 2023. Every time Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano springs to life and produces towering clouds of ash, there are dozens of scientists , a network of sensors and cameras and a room full of powerful equipment that watches her every move. Credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File
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Women walk through streets covered in ash from Popocatepetl volcano in Atlixco, Mexico, Monday, May 22, 2023. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week. No evacuation orders have been issued, but authorities are preparing for that scenario and are asking people to stay outside a 7.5-mile (12-kilometre) radius around the peak. Photo credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
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Volcanic ash falls from Popocatépetl volcano over Atlixco, Mexico, Monday, May 22, 2023. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week. No evacuation orders have been issued, but authorities are preparing for that scenario and are asking people to stay outside a 7.5-mile (12-kilometre) radius around the peak. Photo credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
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A model of the Popocatepetl volcano is displayed at Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention in Mexico City, Feb. 8, 2023. The 17,797-foot mountain is affectionately known as “El Popo” and has been emitting toxic fumes, ash and lumps. of continuously glowing rocks for nearly 30 years. Credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File
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Popocatepetl volcano spewing ash and steam, seen from Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
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A woman walks through streets covered in ash from the Popocatepetl volcano in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, Monday, May 22, 2023. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week. No evacuation orders have been issued, but authorities are preparing for that scenario and are asking people to stay outside a 7.5-mile (12-kilometre) radius around the peak. Photo credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
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Farmers move their mules laden with coal covered in ash from the Popocatepetl volcano that covers Santiago Exalcitentla, Mexico, Monday, May 22, 2023. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week. No evacuation orders have been issued, but authorities are preparing for that scenario and are asking people to stay outside a 7.5-mile (12-kilometre) radius around the peak. Photo credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
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A vendor sells drinks in the form of ash from Popocatepetl volcano covering the streets in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, Monday, May 22, 2023. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week. No evacuation orders have been issued, but authorities are preparing for that scenario and are asking people to stay outside a 7.5-mile (12-kilometre) radius around the peak. Photo credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
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The Mexican military patrols the streets as ash from the Popocatepetl volcano covers the streets in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, Monday, May 22, 2023. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week. No evacuation orders have been issued, but authorities are preparing for that scenario and are asking people to stay outside a 7.5-mile (12-kilometre) radius around the peak. Photo credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
As ash continues to flow toward southern Mexico, he and other scientists monitoring the volcano expect winds to move and blow ash into the capital in June.
Already on Saturday, volcanic ash carried by shifting winds forced the city’s airport to close temporarily. Others expressed fears that the weight of the accumulated ash could collapse precariously built homes in poorer parts of Mexico.
He and other scientists recommended residents wash their eyes and wear face masks.
“It had important consequences. The only danger we have now is ash,” he said. “People should not be afraid, more than anything they should take precautions.”
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