Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano unexpectedly erupted on Friday, November 25, in a powerful show of smoke and ash. Reports state that the volcano has been active since Friday when it was seen spewing out a huge column of ash nearly 3.1 miles up in the sky. All the residence located around the volcano, in the southeast region of Mexico City, have been warned of the seismic activity that can follow the eruption. However, the said eruption has caused mass panic after sending plumes of ash an incredible three miles into the sky.
Mexico's Popocatepetl Volcano Erupts, Nearby City Covered With Ashes
According to Science World Report, the Mexican National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED) has published an online warning that the Popocatépetl volcano has had 160 exhalations, which include gas and steam emissions, since Friday, Nov. 25. Three explosions also reportedly occurred on Saturday morning, and during the night the crater showed incandescence with some exhalations. The national authorities have declared a Yellow Alert of Mexico's Volcanic Traffic Light warning system due to the volcanic activity.
Daily Star reported that local villages and towns have been smothered in ash after the eruption began this weekend, with more expected to be hit if the wind changes direction. The volcanic eruption also triggered a small earthquake measuring less than two on the Richter Scale. Civilians have been warned to stay at least seven miles away from the site for their own safety. Jose Cortes Agustin, one of the citizens who is near the area during the eruption said on his social media, “People in the city get afraid."
The city government released a statement, saying: "In case of ashfall, address the following recommendations: Cover nose and mouth with a wet handkerchief or face mask, clean eyes and throat with pure water, avoid contact lenses to reduce eye irritation, close windows or cover them up and stay indoors as much as possible." The eruption occurred just days after a scientist warned a volcano in the Canary Islands could send a huge tsunami racing towards the U.K.
Volcanic Eruption
A volcanic eruption occurs when hot materials are thrown out of a volcano. Lava, rocks, dust, ash and gas compounds are some of the materials. Eruptions can come from side branches or from the top of the volcano. Some eruptions are terrible explosions that throw out huge amounts of rock and ash and kill many people. Some are quiet outflows of hot lava. Several more complex types of volcanic eruptions have been described by volcanologists.
