Foreign Affairs

"El Popo" is in a bad mood

Mexico. The eruption of Popocatépetl seen up close: the drone flying over the crater

Millions of people ready to evacuate around the volcano

29/05/2023

Mexican Navy via Reuters

Footage taken by a Mexican Navy drone last Thursday shows the ash plume coming out of the crater of "El Popo," as Mexicans affectionately call it.

Last week the Civil Protection announced the raising of the alert level after the volcano increased its activity with the emission of fumaroles and incandescent material.

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Mexico, raised the alert level of the Popocatepetl volcano: The timelapse video

After the closure of schools in the communities near the volcano, the difficulties in air traffic and the definition of a red zone for the danger of falling rocks, the new state of alert provides for the population - about three million people in the area most directly affected - the warning of a potential evacuation.

The Popocatépetl, which means "Smoking Hill" in the native Aztec language Nahuatl, is one of the most monitored volcanoes in the world and is located about seventy kilometers southeast of Mexico City.