Mexico raises alert level for Popocatepetl volcano

[:eek:]

May 13, 2013 1:20am

MEXICO CITY - Mexican authorities raised the alert level for the Popocatepetl volcano near Mexico City on Sunday morning after observing an increased level of explosive activity.

The lava dome of Popocatepetl, some 50 miles (80 km) to the southeast of the capital, may expand and unleash increasingly powerful explosions of ash and lava, Mexico's National Center for Disaster Prevention said in a statement.

The alert level for the towering volcano was raised to yellow phase three from yellow phase two, on orders from the country's Interior Ministry.

It is the third-highest warning on the center's seven-step scale.

This change in activity in the 5,450-meter (17,900-foot) volcano could provoke big explosions capable of sending incandescent fragments out over considerable distances, the center added. — Reuters

 

[Bim]

Hopefully it doesnt get more activity than what it has now. I remember when i visited Mexico City some years ago, and the view from that massive volcano as we were landing was humbling, to say the least. I cant imagine what a rain of ash alone would feel like over there. For me it was difficult enough breathing because of the altitude and the contamination.

 

[Enriquespy]

It's not much, this volcanoe does a little tantrum every 10 or 15 years, last one was on 2001. Some evacuation needed, but not much more.

 

[Xeno]

I hope the volcano calms down because it's insanely close to Mexico City. A huge amount of ash could injure millions of people.

On a ridiculous note, Popocatepetl is my favorite name for anything ever.

 

[enterthemadness]

My mind wanted to read it as Pop-tart Volcano and I was like 'Um....okay'

 

[CashforStash]

Well god bless their souls.

 

[AF3619]

I hope the volcano calms down because it's insanely close to Mexico City. A huge amount of ash could injure millions of people.

On a ridiculous note, Popocatepetl is my favorite name for anything ever.

amen , i don´t live in Mexico city but my sister does

the volcano id also called "Don Goyo" btw

 

[Enriquespy]

Mexico city isn't even in the same state than the volcano. It would need an incredibly unprobable massive eruption almost on a biblical scale just for the ashes to be a problem there.

The ones in trouble are the little town in the skirts of the volcano. And puebla, the one big city sufficiently near the popo.

Also, a pop-tart volcano sounds scalding but delicious!!

 

[Teelie]

It doesn't have to be biblical to wreak havoc. Even a moderate eruption can cause devestation albeit from the ash blocking out the sun and killing plant life to the rainfall when all that crap spewed into the air lands with the rain.

 

[terry78]

My mind wanted to read it as Pop-tart Volcano and I was like 'Um....okay'

Crazy volcanic.

 

[Enriquespy]

It doesn't have to be biblical to wreak havoc. Even a moderate eruption can cause devestation albeit from the ash blocking out the sun and killing plant life to the rainfall when all that crap spewed into the air lands with the rain.

Nope, been there, seen that.