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Popocatepetl volcano (Mexico): moderate-large eruption on 8 June, ash to 8 km

Thu, 10 Jun 2010, 09:20 |
On 8 June 2010, Popocatépetl volcano had one of its larger explosions during recent years: an ash plume was generated that rose to 8 km (27,600 feet) altitude a.s.l.

Previous news

Wed, 9 Jun 2010, 06:00

Popocatepetl volcano (Mexico) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 9 June-15 June 2010 (Continuing Activity)

CENAPRED reported that during 9-11 June steam-and-gas emissions from Popocatépetl occasionally contained small amounts of ash. On 10 June an ash-and-steam plume rose 800 m above the crater. The next day an ash-and-gas plume rose 1 km above the crater. ... Read all
Wed, 2 Jun 2010, 06:00

Popocatepetl volcano (Mexico) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 2 June-8 June 2010 (Continuing Activity)

CENAPRED reported that during 2-3 and 7-8 June steam-and-gas emissions from Popocatépetl occasionally contained small amounts of ash. The seismic network detected a few periods of harmonic tremor. Steam-and-gas emissions continued during 4-7 June. ... Read all
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Background:

Volcán Popocatépetl, whose name is the Aztec word for smoking mountain, towers to 5426 m 70 km SE of Mexico City to form North America's 2nd-highest volcano.  The glacier-clad stratovolcano contains a steep-walled, 250-450 m deep crater.  The generally symmetrical volcano is modified by the sharp-peaked Ventorrillo on the NW, a remnant of an earlier volcano. 
At least three previous major cones were destroyed by gravitational failure during the Pleistocene, producing massive debris-avalanche deposits covering broad areas south of the volcano.  The modern volcano was constructed to the south of the late-Pleistocene to Holocene El Fraile cone.  Three major plinian eruptions, the most recent of which took place about 800 AD, have occurred from Popocatépetl since the mid Holocene, accompanied by pyroclastic flows and voluminous lahars that swept basins below the volcano.  Frequent historical eruptions, first recorded in Aztec codices, have occurred since precolumbian time.


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Source: GVP, Smithsonian Institution - Popocatepetl information


Satellite images of Popocatepetl volcano (c)Google Earth View
Satellite images of Popocatepetl volcano (c)Google Earth View
Stratovolcano 5426 m / 17,802 ft
Central Mexico, 19.02°N / -98.62°W
Current status: erupting (4 out of 5) Popocatépetl volcano eruptions:
1345-47, 1354, 1363(?), 1488, 1504, 1509(?), 1512, 1518, 1519-23(?), 1528, 1530, 1539-40, 1542, 1548, 1571, 1580, 1590, 1592-94, 1642, 1663-65, 1666-67, 1697, 1720, 1802-04, 1827(?), 1834(?), 1852(?), 1919-22, 1923-24, 1925-27(?), 1933, 1942-43, 1947, 1994-95, 1996-2003, 2004-ongoing
Typical eruption style
Dominantly explosive, construction of lava domes. Plinian eruptions at intervals of several centuries or few thousands of years, vulcanian and strombolian activity in intermittent phases.
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tour to see the ongoing eruption of Mexico's most active volcano
6 days / 5 nights - Easy
Price 1650 €
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