Mexico volcano on BRINK of eruption: Three blasts EXPLODE out of Popocatepetl in TWO hours
The volcano, colloquially known as ‘Popo’, erupted in the early hours of Thursday, spewing ash into the atmosphere. The have now been a total of 11 “low-intensity exhalations” of smoke since the first, and three eruptions. Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Center (CENAPRED) said that "the seismic monitoring systems of the Popocatépetl volcano recorded 11 low-intensity exhalations and three explosions at 02:26, 03:26 and 03:27". CENAPRED added that "there was a report of slight ash fall” in local areas and rock fragments were blasted almost 600 metres away.
GETTY El Popo is erupting
The centre also warned people to stay away from the volcano due to "the danger of falling ballistic fragments”. A video of the 02:26 eruption was captured on video which shows just how much potential the volcano has to be catastrophic. The video shows massive plumes of smoke being pummelled into the air as lava trickles down the side of the huge volcano. At 5,426 metres tall, Popo, which is some 70 kilometres away from the capital Mexico City, is the second largest volcano in North America, but experts say that it does not pose a huge threat to locals due to its usually dormant nature.
Popocatépetl volcano's past eruptions, in pictures Fri, October 6, 2017 Popocatépetl is an active volcano, located in the states of Puebla, Mexico, and Morelos, in Central Mexico Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 7 Ash spew from Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano, some 55 km from Mexico City, as seen from San Mateo Ozolco, in the Mexican central state of Puebla, on July 4, 2013
Last year, Popo erupted for the first time since 2000 when ash was propelled a staggering three kilometres into the sky. Since then, there have been several eruptions. The eruption comes after a spate of volcanic activity around the world – with all eyes on the Agung volcano in Bali which is showing signs of erupting.
GETTY Popocatépetl volcano recorded 11 low-intensity exhalations and three explosions
Such is the fear around Agung that Indonesia is preparing to evacuate and divert all tourists away due to the likely impending eruption. More than 140,000 locals have already been evacuated from the area.
GETTY Last year, Popo erupted for the first time since 2000