popocatepetl explosion domo sobrevuelo claro domo

From the morning of January 30, it was possible to observe the Popocatepetl volcano with intermittent emission of volcanic gases that are dispersed in a northwesterly direction, according to the monitoring of the National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred).

The authorities recommended that the population “ignore rumors and be attentive to the update issued by the National Coordination of Civil Protection through its official channels and accounts” which is shared on @CNPC_MX twitter handle.

The telephone numbers for the population to report emergencies associated with volcanic activity are 800-713-4147 and 911.

Popocatepetl is one of the most active volcanoes in the country and is located in the territorial limits of the states of Morelos, Puebla and the State of Mexico. It is 72 km southeast of Mexico City, 43 km from Puebla, 63 km from Cuernavaca and 53 km from Tlaxcala. And it has an altitude of 5,500 meters above sea level.

“El Popo” is still active and according to scientists from the University of Manchester, it is the fifth volcano at risk of erupting in the next few years.

In Mexico there are at least 46 active volcanoes, but only six of these are indicated by Cenapred as high risk, which is why it monitors their activity to react in a timely manner in the event of an emergency or a major eruption.

The high risk volcanoes are: Popocatepetl; the Volcán de Fuego, in Colima; the Ceboruco, in Nayarit; the Pico de Orizaba, on the limits of Veracruz and Puebla; El Chichón, in Chiapas and El Tacaná, which is on the border with Guatemala.

In the event of a major explosion from Popocatepetl, it would not unleash a chain detonation, because each volcano is independent, each volcano has its own conduits, its own magma sources, which are not directly related, in such a way that the activity of a volcano It will not affect the activity of other volcanoes either up or down.

Volcanic Warning Traffic Light

Cenapred is the body in charge of constantly monitoring the activity of the country’s volcanoes, to determine the levels of danger, in this way it can issue preventive security measures.

Yellow Phase

This means that there is an increase in activity with the presence of plumes of water vapor and gas, ash fall, incandescent fragments, creation and destruction of lava domes, pyroclastic flows and short-range mud and debris flows. The other two phases have the following characteristics:

Green

In this phase there is minimal or no activity that only has, on the recommendation of the Commission, that the residents stay informed about evacuation routes, meeting points and temporary shelters. In its first phase, the volcano is considered calm and in the second, that it has minimal manifestations or spontaneous seismic activity.

Red

A Red Volcanic Alert is not only an alarm signal, it is also a sign that the authorities and the population must begin to evacuate the areas that may be affected in the event of an explosion of the colossus. In its first phase it is considered that there is an intermediate to high danger that presents eruptive columns of several kilometers, as well as significant ash fall and pyroclastic flows and mud in nearby areas.

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