Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano erupts multiple times, spewing ash and canceling flights

Mexico’s Popocatépetl volcano has caused disruptions in the country’s capital Mexico City following a series of eruptions.

According to Mexico’s National Disaster Prevention Center (CENAPRED), the volcano, located just about 50 miles outside of Mexico City, erupted 13 times between Tuesday and Wednesday, spewing ash and debris into the air of central Mexico. On Thursday morning, a translated update reported 148 “exhalations” in the last 24 hours.

The Popocatepetl volcano emits smoke and ash, seen from Mexico City at sunrise on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.

Mexico City flights canceled, people urged not to climb volcano

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As a result, at least 22 flights out of the Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport were canceled on Tuesday, according to officials, and others were rerouted. The Puebla International Airport, located even closer to the volcano, ceased all operations for an unspecified period, according to the Associated Press.

Volcanic ash can cause serious damage to aircrafts, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), as engines on airplanes and helicopters are vulnerable to damage caused by the abrasive clouds, which can even cause a loss of power.

The alerts issued by CENAPRED have also warned people not to climb the volcano, as ongoing emissions of debris and volcanic ash could pose serious safety risks. A 12km or roughly 7.5-mile radius around the volcano has been deemed an unsafe zone that should be avoided, and the organization also advised residents to avoid ravines near the volcano due to the risk of mudflows.

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Popocatépetl volcano

Popocatepetl volcano, right, emits smoke and ash, next to the dormant Iztaccíhuatl volcano, left, seen from Mexico City at sunrise on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. The volcano known as “Don Goyo” has been active since 1994.

Popocatépetl, which translates to “the Smoking Mountain,” is the name given to one of the two volcanos located in Mexico’s Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park. Also known as the “Popo,” it is one of the most active volcanos in the world and is located about 43 miles southeast of Mexico City.

Rectods of activity from the Popop date back to the 14th century, though the volcano experienced almost 50 years of dormancy before awakening again in 1994. It has been considered active since then, periodically producing explosions and eruptions.

Some 25 million people live in a 60-mile radius of the volcano, meaning is is monitored by officials 24 hours a day year-round. Luckily, the last major eruption of Popocatépetl occurred more than one thousand years ago.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mexico’s Popocatépetl volcano erupts multiple times, spewing ash and canceling flights