See Mexico's Popocatépetl Volcano Erupt and Spew Ash

Angely Mercado
·2 min read
2
Popocatepetl volcano spews incandescent material as seen from Paso de Cortés on May 23, 2023 in Amecameca, Mexico.
Popocatepetl volcano spews incandescent material as seen from Paso de Cortés on May 23, 2023 in Amecameca, Mexico.
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After a week of rumbling eruptions, Popocatépetl volcano is finally slowing down. The central Mexican volcano has been showing signs of activity, releasing smoke and a lot more since May 15. But the eruptions are finally stopping, and the volcano is emitting less ash this week, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said during a Tuesday press conference, according to CNN.

Mexican officials had initially advised area residents to prepare for evacuation in case volcanic activity intensified. On Sunday, about 3 million people in towns near the peak were on high alert. Airports delayed flights into Mexico City, and schools in nearby municipalities closed, CNN reported.

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There are about 25 million people in the 60 mile radius of the volcano, NPR reported. It’s located 45 miles southeast of Mexico City, the largest metropolitan area in North America. The air quality index over communities in the state of Puebla has decreased due to the particles in the air. Residents in that state have been encouraged to wear protective gear, like masks, to avoid breathing in the polluted air.

Popocatépetl was dormant for decades before erupting in 1994. Since then, its occasional rumbles and eruptions have become a regular occurrence for people living nearby. You can click through to see photos of the active volcano, and how its spewing ash over the surrounding towns in Mexico.

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The volcano spewing steam

Popocatepetl volcano emits ash, steam and gas in Mexico, San Nicol’s de los Ranchos, on May 23, 2023.
Popocatepetl volcano emits ash, steam and gas in Mexico, San Nicol’s de los Ranchos, on May 23, 2023.

Popocatepetl emiting ash and steam in the distance

Residents ride a quad while in the background the volcano Popocatepetl emits ash, steam and gas in Mexico.
Residents ride a quad while in the background the volcano Popocatepetl emits ash, steam and gas in Mexico.

Mexicans go about life with the active volcano in the distance

Husband and wife on their land to plant corn, near the Popocatépetl volcano in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, on May 24, 2023.
Husband and wife on their land to plant corn, near the Popocatépetl volcano in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, on May 24, 2023.

Popocatepetl spews ash into the sky

The Popocatepetl volcano spews ash and steam, seen from Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico on May 24, 2023.
The Popocatepetl volcano spews ash and steam, seen from Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico on May 24, 2023.

Volcanic ash blankets a road in Santiago Xalitzintla

Police patrol the streets as ash from the Popocatepetl volcano blankets the streets in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, on May 22, 2023.
Police patrol the streets as ash from the Popocatepetl volcano blankets the streets in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, on May 22, 2023.

Volcanic ash covers cars in Santiago Xalitzintla

Ash from the Popocatepetl volcano covers a car in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico on May 22, 2023.
Ash from the Popocatepetl volcano covers a car in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico on May 22, 2023.

Popocatépetl drops ash over Atlixco

Volcanic ash from the Popocatépetl volcano falls over Atlixco, Mexico, on May 22, 2023.
Volcanic ash from the Popocatépetl volcano falls over Atlixco, Mexico, on May 22, 2023.

Wearing protective gear amid falling volcanic ash

A couple wear hoodies and masks to protect themselves from the ash fall of the Popocatépetl volcano in Atlixco, Mexico, on May 22, 2023.
A couple wear hoodies and masks to protect themselves from the ash fall of the Popocatépetl volcano in Atlixco, Mexico, on May 22, 2023.

Volcanic ash darkens the skies over Atlixco, Mexico

Volcanic ash from the Popocatépetl volcano covers Atlixco, Mexico, on May 22, 2023.
Volcanic ash from the Popocatépetl volcano covers Atlixco, Mexico, on May 22, 2023.

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