Another volcanic eruption in the Mexican highlands

What a natural spectacle of fire, ash and glowing rocks for the residents of the Mexican highlands this week! Lately the “smoking mountain” lives up to its name. After an approximately two kilometer high gas and ash cloud rose from the Popocatéptl last month, a few days ago there was another larger eruption. The Popocatéptl is Mexico’s second highest mountain (5,462 meters) and has been active since 1994 when it came out of its latest dormant state. This has been the worst eruption since then.

The Popocatépetl is one of the most dangerous active volcanoes in the world and therefore on of the most observed by researchers.

On the night of April 18, 2016, the volcano emitted a cloud of both lava and clouds of ash and steam about three kilometers high. As a result, several towns in the vicinity of the Popocatépetel, especially in the districts of Mexico City and Puebla, were covered by a layer of ash as high as 4mm. The Puebla International Airport was closed as a precautionary measure.

The authorities distributed face masks and are on high alert any new possible eruptions. In the event of this risk, an evacuation of the villages located directly on the volcano is prepared, ambulances and emergency accommodation are provided and escape routes are defined. The volcano is located about 70 kilometers from Mexico City and about 40 kilometers from Puebla and is home to almost 30 million people in its catchment area.

We will of course keep you up to date and will notify you when there is news from the “Popo”!

Many thanks to our mountain guide Armando Datolli for the spectacular photos of this volcanic eruption.