This tall volcano is commonly obscured by clouds and scientists are then forced to rely on seismicity detected by the monitoring network to define the number of "daily exhalations." Daily exhalations during the week of 5-11 November 2003 typically stood at ~5. By comparison, during March 1996 the daily exhalations reached ~180. Other monitored parameters during 5-11 November also indicated relative stability.
During October, moderate emissions of mainly gas and steam occurred at Popocatépetl. Aerial photographs taken on 17 October showed that the inner crater had subsided and that no external lava dome was visible at the bottom of the crater.
During 17-23 September, moderate emissions of mainly gas, steam, and sometimes ash occurred at Popocatépetl. According to the Washington VAAC, on 21 September a small possible ash cloud was visible on satellite imagery at a height of ~7 km a.s.l., extending NW from the summit. The cloud dissipated rapidly.
Aerial photography taken on 25 August revealed no external lava dome in Popocatépetl crater. On 28 August the number of low-level emissions increased in comparison to previous days. On 29 August at 1330 a low-density ash emission rose to ~1.5 km above the crater and drifted W.
During 6-12 August, moderate emissions of mainly gas, steam, and sometimes ash occurred at Popocatépetl.
During 30 July-5 August, moderate emissions of mainly gas, steam, and sometimes ash occurred at Popocatépetl.
During 23-29 July, moderate emissions of mainly gas, steam, and sometimes ash occurred at Popocatépetl. Aerial photography taken on 21 July revealed than an external lava dome was not visible at the bottom of the crater. A significant explosion occurred on 25 July at 2053, throwing incandescent fragments on Popocatépetl's slopes.
During 16-22 July, moderate emissions of mainly gas and steam occurred at Popocatépetl. On 19 July at 0920 a moderate explosion produced an ash plume that rose ~3 km above the crater. After the event the volcano returned to its previous level of activity characterized by frequent and small steam-and-ash emissions.
Wed, 9 Jul 2003, 06:00
During 9-15 July, moderate emissions of mainly gas, steam, and sometimes ash, occurred at Popocatépetl. An eruption on 9 July at 0910 sent ash to a height of ~1 km above the summit.
Read allWed, 2 Jul 2003, 06:00
During 2-8 July, moderate emissions of mainly gas, steam, and sometimes ash, occurred at Popocatépetl. A relatively large ash emission occurred on 2 July at 0755 that produced an ash cloud to ~3.5 km above the crater. After the event, volcanism returned to previous levels characterized by frequent and small emissions of steam and gas.
Read allWed, 25 Jun 2003, 06:00
During 25 June to 1 July, moderate emissions of mainly gas, steam, and sometimes ash, occurred at Popocatépetl. On 28 June the number of emissions was higher than on other days, and the plumes had a higher ash content. Ash fell in towns SW of the volcano.
Read allWed, 18 Jun 2003, 06:00
During 18-24 June, moderate emissions of mainly gas and steam, and sometimes ash, occurred at Popocatépetl. In addition, isolated episodes of low-amplitude harmonic tremor were occasionally recorded. One of the more significant emissions, on 20 June at 0636, produced an ash-and-steam plume to a height of ~2 km above the volcano.
Read allWed, 11 Jun 2003, 06:00
CENAPRED reported that a small eruption at Popocatépetl on 10 June at 1744 produced a W-drifting ash column to a height of ~3 km above the volcano. In addition, episodes of low-amplitude harmonic tremor were recorded for a total of 2 hours. According to the Washington VAAC, the volcano returned to just gas venting after the eruption.
Read allWed, 7 May 2003, 06:00
During 7-10 May, moderate emissions of mainly gas and steam occurred at Popocatépetl. In addition, isolated episodes of low-amplitude harmonic tremor were occasionally recorded. No signs of a new lava dome were seen during a flight over the volcano on 20 April.
Read allWed, 23 Apr 2003, 06:00
On 24 April at 2050 Popocatépetl issued a moderate explosion that threw incandescent fragments 1.5-2.0 km above the crater and generated an ash column that rose to ~2.5 km above the crater. The plume was initially carried E. This activity was related to the destruction of a small dome that formed in the past few days.
Read allWed, 16 Apr 2003, 06:00
The ongoing eruption at Popocatépetl was punctuated by a small explosion on 17 April, an event accompanied by incandescent fragments that reached 1 km E along the summit crater=s outer margin, and a modest ash plume directed toward the NE. Associated with the event, low-amplitude tremor persisted for about 2 hours, but no other significant geophysical changes were seen. More typical low-intensity outbursts also continued during the week, typically at rates of ten=s per day.
Read allWed, 9 Apr 2003, 06:00
During 9-15 April, moderate emissions of mainly gas and steam occurred at Popocatépetl. In addition, isolated episodes of low-amplitude harmonic tremor were occasionally recorded. There were still remains of the lava dome in Popocatépetl's crater.
Read allWed, 2 Apr 2003, 06:00
During 2-8 April, moderate emissions of mainly gas and steam occurred at Popocatépetl. In addition, isolated episodes of low-amplitude harmonic tremor were occasionally recorded. There were still remains of the lava dome in Popocatépetl's crater.
Read allWed, 26 Mar 2003, 06:00
Several emissions of steam, gas, and ash occurred during 26 March to 1 April associated with the continued destruction of Popocatépetl's lava dome.
Read allWed, 19 Mar 2003, 06:00
Several emissions of steam, gas, and ash occurred during 19-25 March associated with the continued destruction of Popocatépetl's lava dome.
Read allWed, 12 Mar 2003, 06:00
Several emissions of steam, gas, and ash occurred during 12-18 March associated with the continued destruction of Popocatépetl's lava dome. The largest reported emission, on 13 March at 0916, produced a steam-and-ash cloud that reached a height of 1 km above the crater and drifted E. According to a news article, ash fell on several communities near the volcano.
Read allWed, 5 Mar 2003, 06:00
Several emissions of steam, gas, and ash occurred during 5-11 March associated with the continued destruction of Popocatépetl's lava dome. The largest reported emission, on 5 March at 1005, produced a steam-and-ash cloud that reached a height of 1 km above the crater. Also, a microearthquake and isolated episodes of low-amplitude harmonic tremor were recorded.
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