The Popocatépetl volcano recorded 42 exhalations in the last day, according to the daily monitoring carried out by the National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) together with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Currently, Don Goyo -as it is also called- is in yellow phase 2, according to the Volcanic Alert Traffic Light of Cenapred and UNAM.
Consequently, the population is urged not to approach the volcano, especially the crater, due to the danger of falling ballistic fragments.
In case of reports of downpours in the Popocatépetl area, it is important to stay away from the bottom of the ravines, due to the danger posed by the flow of mud and debris.
Federal authorities asked citizens not to pay attention to rumors and to be attentive to the information issued by the National Coordination of Civil Protection through its official channels and accounts: www.gob.mx/cenapred and @CNPC_MX on Twitter.
Cenapred also has the following telephone numbers for people to report emergencies related to volcanic activity: 800-713-4147 and 911.
Volcanic Alert Traffic Light
To warn of the danger of an active volcano, such as Popocatépetl, Cenapred and UNAM have the Volcanic Alert Traffic Light.
Like any other traffic light, the Volcanic Alert has three colors: green, yellow and red. Here we explain what each color means:
Green
The green color means that everything is normal. This color has two phases. Phase one means that the volcano is calm, while phase two only shows slight signs of activity, such as fumaroles and sporadic seismic activity.
Yellow
The yellow color indicates that the volcano is more active. This color is divided into three phases:
Phase one, when the volcano shows clear signs of activity, such as frequent local volcanic seismicity, fumaroles or plumes of steam and gas, as well as sporadic and light emissions of ash.
Phase two, in which the volcano shows an increase in activity with sporadic explosions, continuous plume of steam and water, light to moderate ash fall in nearby towns, launching of incandescent fragments and the possibility of short-range pyroclastic flows associated with the explosions, growth and destruction of lava domes, as well as short-range mud or debris flows.
Phase three, the volcano shows explosive activity of intermediate to high scale, rapid growth of large domes and their destruction in strong explosions, plumes of water vapor, gases and persistent ash, explosions of increasing intensity with the launch of incandescent fragments, possibility of medium-range pyroclastic flows and noticeable ash fall in nearby towns.
Red
The red color means that there is danger and one must be ready for evacuation. This color is divided into two phases:
Phase one, means that the volcano shows explosive activity of intermediate to high scale, the emission of columns of water vapor and gas is several kilometers high, launching of incandescent fragments on the slopes of the volcano, significant ash fall in distant towns and cities, as well as pyroclastic flows and mud flows that can reach nearby towns.
Phase two, the volcano presents explosive activity of high to extreme scale, the eruptive columns are tens of kilometers high and far-reaching, intense falls of ash, sand and volcanic fragments on populations at greater distances, possible partial collapses of the volcanic building, pyroclastic flows and massive debris flows that can reach nearby and intermediate populations, large lahars with devastating effects and serious damage to the environment.
Popocatépetl, an active volcano
Popocatépetl is one of the most active volcanoes in the country and is located on the territorial limits of the entities of Morelos, Puebla and the State of Mexico, however it is close to Mexico City and Tlaxcala.
The Popocatépetl volcano has an altitude of 5 thousand meters above sea level, which makes it the second highest in the country.
“Don Goyo” is currently active and, according to scientists from the University of Manchester, is the fifth volcano at risk of erupting in the coming years.
Mexico, a country of volcanoes
In Mexico there are at least 46 active volcanoes, of which six are designated as high risk by Cenapred, which monitors their activity to react in a timely manner in the event of an emergency or a major eruption.
The most dangerous volcanoes are: Popocatépetl; Volcán de Fuego, in Colima; Ceboruco, in Nayarit; Pico de Orizaba, on the border of Veracruz and Puebla; Chichón, in Chiapas and Tacaná, which is on the border with Guatemala.
In the event of a major explosion of Popocatépetl, this would not trigger a chain reaction because each volcano is independent, each has its own conduits, its own sources of magma, which are not directly related, so that the activity of one volcano will not affect the activity of other volcanoes either up or down.
Source: infobae
