The Popocatépetl volcano in Mexico has continued to explode, blowing smoke and ash high in the air and sending incandescent material down its slopes. Mexico's national disaster alert center Cenapred raised the alert level on the volcano back up to Phase 3 Yellow on Saturday, meaning that eruptions in the volcano have gone from sporadic to frequent small to intermediate ones. A new lava dome was also said to be growing in the summit's crater. Collapses of lava domes are much more unpredictable than lava eruptions, and can generate pyroclastic flows capable of serious damage on the volcano's slopes. Watch a clip of it as it spews ash and smoke on July 4.
1. Last weekend, explosions from the volcano brought ashfall to the outer districts of Mexico City.
"Don Goyo" is located about 43 miles southeast of Mexico City, and ash is frequently swept up by winds and scattered on districts like Milpa Alta - the southernmost of the capital's 16 boroughs - and other districts on the southern side of the city. Mexico City's airport tends to be affected by it too. Last weekend, ashfall occasioned the cancellation of over 40 flights from the United States as a precautionary measure, although Mexican airlines didn't pause service.
RELATED: Flights Cancelled As Don Goyo Blows Ash, Smoke
2. The name Popocatépetl means "smoking mountain" in Nahuatl.
Popocatépetl's got a host of nicknames, too - "Don Goyo", "El Popo" or "Don Gregorio" - and locals in the zone have an affectionate relationship with it. El Pais reported in early May that after the volcano exploded, scattering ash on the nearby city of Puebla, residents of the area immediately around the volcano made offerings to Don Gregorio: mole, corn, beer and even pulque, a drink of fermented sweet water from the agave plant with roots that go back to the Aztecs.
3. The government of Puebla state, where it sits, have evacuation plans ready in case of an eruption.
Evacuees would be more than 11,000 people from a total of 18 municipalities residing in the shadow of the volcano. Authorities have sealed off a zone of about 7 square miles around the volcano, declaring it a "no-go" zone.
RELATED: Possible Lava Expulsion Expected From Don Goyo
4. Since the Spanish conquistadors reached the area in 1519, it's seen over 15 major eruptions.
5. It's the second-highest peak in Mexico at 5,450 meters (16,400 ft) above sea level.
You can see it on (rare) clear days from Mexico City.
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