Volcano In Mexico Erupts Violently, Produces 20,000-Foot Ash Plume

The latest eruption by an active volcano in Mexico has produced towering ash plumes reaching thousands of feet into the sky. Aside from detecting hundreds of tremors and gas emissions, agencies also spotted volcanic rocks being ejected from the volcano’s crater.

The volcano currently erupting in Mexico is known as Popocatépetl. It is an active stratovolcano that has a base extending over the states of Puebla, Morelos and Mexico in Central Mexico.

Popocatépetl’s current active status has been ongoing since 2004 due to its periodic eruptions. Its recent display of volcanic activity began on June 3 after emissions of ash, gas and vapor were spotted coming out from the crater of the volcano.

Then, the following day, Popocatépetl produced a powerful eruption. According to reports, the volcano has been erupting regularly since June 4. According to the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), its facility in Washington detected a massive plume of ash from the volcano on June 8.

As noted by the VAAC, the volcanic ash plume reached a height of about 20,000 feet into the sky, affecting flight operations in the region. Before that, the volcano produced an even more massive ash plume on June 5 that reached a height of about 24,000 feet.

The VAAC reported that the ash clouds moved towards the south and southwest.

In addition to the ash plumes, the VAAC reported that Mexico’s Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres Volcano also detected tremors from the Popocatépetl. As of June 8, the agency has already recorded about 453 tremors in the area surrounding the volcano. It also spotted a form of volcanic rock known as scoria being ejected out of the volcano’s crater.

“Plumes of ash rose to an altitude of 24,000 feet,” the VAAC stated in a report. “Volcanic ash is dispersed towards the south and southwest and causes ash fall on the volcano's slopes. Scoria is being ejected above the crater and caused avalanches of material.”

“Additionally recorded 344 emissions of gas and steam plumes with minor ash content and 453 minutes of tremor,” the agency added.