Mexico City on alert as Popocatepetl volcano spews rock and ash The Telegraph/UK. Excerpts:
Eruptions from the Popocatepetl volcano began to grow larger a week ago as columns of ash began pouring from more than 60 openings in the 17,886 foot high cone.
On Friday a low pitched roar and rolling towers of ash and steam were spewed out as some of the pressure built up inside the magma chamber escaped.
Glowing rock fragments have also been sighted more than 3,000 feet down the slopes of the volcano.
Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Centre have now raised the volcano alert level to "yellow stage three" – the third highest level.
Incandescent materials, ash and smoke are spewed from the Popocatepetl Volcano (AFP)
Tens of thousands of people live in the farming villages on the volcano's flanks while roughly 25 million people live within a 60 mile radius.
It is feared the airborne ash could cause havoc with Mexico City's busy airport and a large eruption of Popo, as it is commonly known, could see ash falling on Mexico City itself, around 50 miles away. 43 miles southeast, actually.
25 million people within 60 miles. That's quite a lot of people to evacuate safely and efficiently, provided Popo really pops. Yes, there have been many false alarms, and right now there's still no reason to expect the worst. Still, this seems to be the year where everything breaks loose. When it comes to Everyday Life and Earth Events, past context doesn't really apply anymore.
Meanwhile, worried countenances cast wary glances southeast, many breathing silent prayers, hoping the monster calms down, one more time.. Popocatepetl continues belching smoke, and its intermittent rumbling comforts no one.
Eruptions from the Popocatepetl volcano began to grow larger a week ago as columns of ash began pouring from more than 60 openings in the 17,886 foot high cone.
On Friday a low pitched roar and rolling towers of ash and steam were spewed out as some of the pressure built up inside the magma chamber escaped.
Glowing rock fragments have also been sighted more than 3,000 feet down the slopes of the volcano.
Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Centre have now raised the volcano alert level to "yellow stage three" – the third highest level.
Incandescent materials, ash and smoke are spewed from the Popocatepetl Volcano (AFP)
Tens of thousands of people live in the farming villages on the volcano's flanks while roughly 25 million people live within a 60 mile radius.
It is feared the airborne ash could cause havoc with Mexico City's busy airport and a large eruption of Popo, as it is commonly known, could see ash falling on Mexico City itself, around 50 miles away. 43 miles southeast, actually.
25 million people within 60 miles. That's quite a lot of people to evacuate safely and efficiently, provided Popo really pops. Yes, there have been many false alarms, and right now there's still no reason to expect the worst. Still, this seems to be the year where everything breaks loose. When it comes to Everyday Life and Earth Events, past context doesn't really apply anymore.
Meanwhile, worried countenances cast wary glances southeast, many breathing silent prayers, hoping the monster calms down, one more time.. Popocatepetl continues belching smoke, and its intermittent rumbling comforts no one.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment