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Popocatepetl, Mexico 
September 30, 1999 On 29 September, the Popocatepetl Volcano
had two moderate ash eruptions. Each eruption lasted approximately 2
minutes. Light ashfall occurred in the west sector of the volcano. On 20 September, the Popocatepetl Volcano
sent steam and ash into the air. Officials stated that the activity
was within normal limits, and there was no need for evacuation.
August 19, 1999 On 19 August, at 07:16 GMT, a Type A event occurred. It is recommended not to get any closer to the crater than 5 km. Occasional small ash puffs and isolated low exhalations have been recorded, accompanied by gas emissions. The volcanic alert traffic light remains yellow. June 22, 1999 On 16-18 June, the Popocatepetl Volcano has become more active with several moderate exhalations and several volcano-tectonic earthquakes. June 16, 1999 On 15 June 1999, an ash cloud rose from the Popocatepetl Volcano to 18,000-24,000 feet (5.5-7km approx.) above sea level. March 23, 1999 Popocatepetl erupted again on Monday, sending ash and steam 3 miles (5 km) into the sky. The explosion was heard in the neighboring state of Puebla. One observer stated that Puebla was showered with volcanic debris from the event for most of the day. March 17, 1999 Three outbursts of gas and ash from Popocatepetl this week have caused officials to put evacuation centers near the volcano on alert. Concern has risen that a major explosion could occur in the next few days. Workers have been deployed to prepare for an evacuation of the surrounding villages. Over 200,000 people live in this danger area. December 21, 1998 An eruption of Popocatepetl showered ash on Mexico City on December 21, forcing the the capital city's airport to close for two hours. This is only the second time since June 1997 that ash from Popocatepetl has fallen on Mexico City. December 17, 1998 Popocatepetl erupted violently on December 17, throwing ash and gas 2 miles (3 km) into the sky. The blast from the eruption shattered windows, lifted tiles off roofs, fractured brick walls, and opened doors in nearby communities. The explosion was heard as far as 50 miles (80 km) away. The eruption also produced a lava flow from the summit crater of Popocatepetl. Hot ash from the eruption caused fires in pastures around the volcano, but no casualties were reported. December 3, 1998 Another eruption of Popocatepetl occurred on December 3, sending ash and gas 6500 ft (2000 m) into the air. Although only moderate eruptions are expected from this point on, authorities still warn people to stay at least 4 miles (7 km) from the crater. December 1, 1998 The most powerful eruption at Popocatepetl in four years occurred on December 1. An ash plume reached 6 miles (10 km) into the air. Authorities are preparing for the possible evacuation of villages within a 10 mile (16 km) radius of the volcano. Continued explosions could loosen snow on the top of Popocatepetl, causing avalanches and mudslides. November 30, 1998 Popocatepetl produced three moderate explosions on Novevember 30, showering nearby villages with rocks and ash. The plume from the explosions reached 2 miles (~3 km) into the air. The explosions were also followed by several tremors, lasting about three minutes each. More than 100 temporary shelters are being set up to house up to 53,000 people in the event of an evacuation. November 27, 1998 Popocatepetl produced its most violent
eruption in four years on November 25. Windows were broken and walls
were cracked in several villages 40 miles (60 km) away from the volcano.
A plume reached 2.5 miles (4 km) above the volcano and bombs landed
up to 3 miles (5 km) away. Two more plumes rose above the volcano on
November 26. Area residents have been warned to stay at least 4.5 miles
(7 km) from the summit of Popocatepetl due to flying debris. November 25, 1998 A plume of ash, gas, and steam rose two miles (3 km) over Popocatepetl and the southeastern suburbs of Mexico City on November 23 and 24. Over 100 blasts of ash and steam were seen erupting from the summit of the volcano on November 24. A new lava dome may be forming within the crater. The alert level at Popocatepetl remains at yellow. September 23, 1998 A moderate explosion produced a steam, gas and ash plume stretching about 2 miles (3 km) above Popocatepetl on September 23. The activity lasted about six minutes. Ash fall was reported in several towns on the southwestern side of Mexico City. This is just the latest in a string of explosive activity at the volcano over the last few days. Due to ejected rocks during one explosion, one of the main seismic stations on Popocatepetl went out of operation. As explosive activity could perstist, a warning has been issued for no one to approach within 2.5 miles (4 km) of the crater. August 16, 1998 Popocatepetl erupted again late on Sunday, August 16, sending a plume of ash and steam over 3 miles (5 km) above the outskirts of Mexico City. The eruption lasted about 15 minutes, and no damage or injuries were reported. May 10, 1998 Popocatepetl erupted steam and rock ~1 mile (2 km) into the air on May 10. This event produced ash that fell on nearby towns. The moderate 15 minute eruption was followed by two volcanic earthquakes. This continued a recent series of eruptions over the last two weeks. Eruptive activity at Popocatepetl is expected to continue at an increased level in the next week. January 2, 1998 Popocatepetl erupted for the second time in two weeks, sending ash two miles into the air. This eruption only lasted for 90 seconds, but was powerful enough to shower the outskirts of Mexico City with ash. Windows and doors were shaken in nearby communities by the force of the eruption. December 24, 1997 Popocatepetl erupted on December 24, sending a column of black smoke four miles high. Lava was also ejected in the largest eruption since June 30. The hot rock and ash thrown into the sky could be seen from as far away as Mexico City. December 6, 1997 For the first time since August, Popocatepetl showed noticeable activity today. It erupted a large cloud of ash and flaming volcanic rocks. The ash rose over half a mile (1 km) into the air. Ash fell on towns over 60 miles (100 km) to the southwest. The rocks ejected from the volcano were seen from over 8 miles (15 km) away. New deformations in the crater of Popocatepetl could indicate the build-up of magma inside the volcano. Popocatepetl is stratovolcano in the central volcanic belt of Mexico. Following several months of quiet degassing, the volcano reawakened early on the morning of March 5, 1996. Ash was being erupted by the volcano. Tremor accompanied the eruption and declined about one hour after the eruption started. Overflights revealed a column of ash and gas rising 2,600 feet (800 m) above the volcano. There was also ash on the snow cap of the volcano. The eruption originated from the same vents as the 1994-1995 eruption. On April 1, 1996, Dr. Hugo Delgado Granados of the Instituto de Geofisica, U.N.A.M., reported that a lava dome was growing on the eastern side of the crater floor at Popocatepetl. The lava dome had filled most of the inner crater, a depth of 200 feet (60 m), and covered nearly 6,500 square feet (600 square m). The dome at Popocatepetl continues to grow at a high rate and is at least 150 feet (50 m) tall. This is larger than the dome that formed at Popocatepetl in the 1920s. On April 30 a major explosion sent pyroclasts to the northeast. Clasts one-quarter of an inch (0.5 cm) fell in the village of Xalitzintla, 7 miles (12 km) from the crater. On May 2 the bodies of five mountain climbers were found just below the rim of the crater. The cause of death is unclear and may have been lightning or the April 30 explosion. The climbers did not heed warnings that closed the volcano to climbers. As of May 3, 1996 activity continues at Popocatepetl. Hugo Delgado reported an explosive eruption at Popocatepetl on October 28, 1996. The eruption sent ash to the west and produced a column that climbed to an altitude of about 27,000 feet (9,000 m). Clear weather allowed people living on the west flank of the volcano to view the eruption. Observations of the summit crater by
helicopter showed a new vent had formed in the lava dome that was active
from March to July, 1996. Fumaroles continue to release gas from the
crater and the lava dome, feeding a gas plume that was drifting to the
west. The explosive was preceded by an increase in the amount of sulfur
dioxide released by the volcano and vertical movement of the west flank.
Scientists working on Popocatepetl believe that new magma is being added
to a large magma chamber beneath the volcano. Pressure generated by
the new magma is being released by passive degassing and inflation/deflation
of the volcano.
May 01, 1997 addition: The Instituto de Geofisica in Mexico
City reports an eruption of Popocatepetl in the early morning of April
29, 1997. Ash and glowing fragments were thrown as far as 2km. The explosion
was heard in Puebla, a city about 50 miles (80 km) from the volcano.
The volcano continues on Yellow alert. No one has been evacuated.
May 14, 1997 addition: Explosions at Popocatepetl from April 24-28 destroyed the lava dome inside the throat of the volcano. The lava dome had been growing since January 1997. An explosion on April 24 sent ash 13,000 feet (4,000 m) above the summit. About 20 explosions occurred on April 25 but did not produced a column of ash. Activity decreased over the weekend and by Monday April 28 earthquake activity had returned to low levels. Several explosions occurred on April 29. Popocatepetl erupted explosively again on the evening of May 11. Gas measurements suggested the volcano had become "sealed" and this new explosion returned the volcano to open degassing. The explosion did produce ash that fell on nearby communities. No casualties were reported. Additional explosions are expected. May 24, 1997 Two plumes of ash, sulfur, carbon dioxide and water vapor were emitted from Popocatepetl on May 24th. Ash and gas were thrown nearly 10,000 ft (3000 m) in the air over Popocatepetl on May 27th. It was the fourth such event this month. Ash was thrown from the volcano for about 15 minutes. Other activity at the volcano lasted about an hour. The ash was expected to reach Puebla, 65 miles southeast of Mexico City. June 11, 1997 Popocatepetl erupted a plume of ash and gas 2.5 miles (4 km) high on June 11. The ground shook for over 15 minutes leading up to this eruption. The winds blew the ash towards the west and southwest. Several small towns and villages are located in that direction. Officials stated that eruption activity could increase, but no evacuations have been ordered yet. June 19, 1997 Popocatepetl threw ash and steam over
one mile high on June 19. This activity lasted about three minutes.
Scientists have predicted events such as this for Popocatepetl and stand
by their claim that there is very little danger of a large eruption
there. July 30, 1997 Popocatapetl threw ash 7.5 miles (12
km) into the air on Monday, June 30 during its largest eruption since
1925. Lava was also thrown 1500 feet (450 m) into the air. This event
led to the first ash fall in Mexico city, 45 miles (72 km) from the
volcano, in over 70 years. Volcanic ash, water, boulders and trees mixed
together to form a thick river on the flanks of Popocatapetl. This river
measured 10 feet (3 m) deep around some mountain towns, but no casualties
have been reported. The government of Mexico says there is less than
a 10 percent chance of a full scale eruption. The airport in Mexico
City was closed on Monday due to this event, but reopened on Tuesday.
At least 15 small towns are planned to be evacuated including about
300,000 people who live on the flanks of the volcano. Popocatapetl erupted ash to about 2500 ft (~800 m) into the air on August 26. These small to moderate size eruptions contained ash, water vapor and other gases. They were not considered dangerous eruptions. |
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