Scientists expect more explosions from Popocatépetl; could be big

He Popocatepetl volcano will probably continue with an activity similar to that presented in recent days, with explosions, which on some occasions may be large, and ash emissions, concluded the scientific Comittee Site adviser, after flying over the crater with a drone.

According to the experts, the most probable scenario is that moments of tremors of high frequency and variable amplitude will continue to occur. Also, the explosions will be small to moderate in size, although they could sometimes be large.

It is also possible to expect ash emissions that possibly reach populations further away than what has already been observed, as well as the expulsion of incandescent fragments within the 12-kilometer exclusion radius.

This was concluded by the scientists after analyzing the videos and images obtained yesterday after the overflight of the drone of Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR).

In these clips it can be seen that the main crater has been filled in significantly by the emitted fragmented magmatic material.

Finally, the Committee announced that the activity during the past 3 days has consisted of the emission of ash and incandescent fragments associated with phenomena such as those expected.

Given this information, it was concluded that the volcanic alert traffic light will remain on. yellow phase 3, detailed the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC).

Last Sunday, the CNPC decided to raise the volcanic alert traffic light from yellow phase 2 to phase 3, as a preventive measure due to the increased activity of the Popocatépetl volcano.

The scenarios for this phase are that low to medium scale explosive activity continues; light to moderate ash rains in nearby towns, as well as the possibility of pyroclastic flows and short-range mudflows.

In order to know the dynamics and evolution of its activity, Semar and the CNPC flew over the crater with a drone on Wednesday. With this, they captured images in which the fumarole is observed coming out from inside the volcano.

In the last 24 hours, the ash fall stopped in the State of Mexico, Tlaxcala, Mexico City; only reported in Morelos a light presence of this element, in the municipality Tétela from the Volcano.