Popocatepetl Volcano Spouts Ash, Mexico Raises Threat Level

Authorities in Mexico haven’t issued an evacuation yet, but they are keeping a very close eye on the Popocatepetl Volcano.

The CS Monitor reports that Mexico recently raised the threat level due to an increase in volcanic activity. Mexico is currently at level five on the warning scale. (There are 7 levels on the scale.)

The National Disaster Prevention Center said that a lave dome is growing in the volcano’s crater. The Popocatepetl Volcano has been spewing ash and rock into the air and authorities are worried that a major eruption could be on the horizon.

The Washington Post reports that the 17,886-foot volcano sent glowing red rock fragments down its slopes this weekend. The molten rocks rolled about a quarter mile down the volcano’s slopes.

The Prevention Center said that it expects the volcano to have “significant explosions of growing intensity.” The Center has closed the area around the volcano and are warning people to stay at least 7 miles from the crater.

The Popocatepetl Volcano, known as “El Popo,” had its last violent eruption on December 18th, 2000. The volcanic eruption sent red-hot-rocks toward the villages below and forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.

The CS Monitor reports that “El Popo” has been erupting intermittently since 1994. The volcano is located in Central Mexico, southeast of Mexico City.