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Popocatépetl volcano (Central Mexico) activity update

Mon, 4 Aug 2014, 16:21 | BY: T
Small ash puff at Popocatépetl yesterday (CENAPRED)
Small ash puff at Popocatépetl yesterday (CENAPRED)
Activity at the volcano remains low with little variation. Occasional small explosions with ash emissions and near-constant degassing, as well as weak glow at the summit at night characterize the current status of the volcano.
CENAPRED keeps the alert level unchanged at "Yellow Phase 2".

Previous news

Wed, 23 Jul 2014, 06:00

Popocatepetl volcano (Mexico) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 23 July-29 July 2014 (Continuing Activity)

CENAPRED reported that during 23-29 July steam and gas emission rose 200-500 m above Popocatépetl's crater and drifted NW, W, SW, and E. On 29 July, emissions were accompanied by 30 minutes of tremor. Slight nighttime incandescence was observed. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two. ... Read all
Wed, 16 Jul 2014, 06:00

Popocatepetl volcano (Mexico) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 16 July-22 July 2014 (Continuing Activity)

CENAPRED reported that during 16-22 July, steam and gas emission rose 200-700 m above Popocatépetl's crater and drifted NE, N, NW, W, and WSW. Slight nighttime incandescence was observed. The Alert Level remained at to Yellow, Phase Two. ... 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
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