Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano, located about 43 miles southeast of Mexico City, erupted again around midday on Thursday, emitting a column of ash which reached some 8,200 feet above the volcano's opening, according to the National Disaster Prevention Center (Cenapred). Ash traveling on winds reached Mexico City, landing on the southeastern district of Milpa Alta. The alert level on the volcano remains on Phase 3 Yellow, indicating "intermediate to high-level explosive activity", the growth of lava domes within the volcano, plumes of gas, steam and ash, and possible pyroclastic flows of "medium range".
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Miguel Ángel Mancera, the mayor of Mexico City, wrote on Twitter on Thursday, "We're getting reports of light ash fall on the Southeastern part of Milpa Alta, due to the quantity the plan will not be activated, pending".
La Jornada reports that the Secretary of Civil Protection in Mexico City recommended that citizens of the capital take preventive measures against the ash, including avoiding the outdoors, closing windows and doors, sealing cracks in the entrances to limit the entrance of ash into homes, and if necessary, covering one's eyes, nose and mouth when outside. The agency also asked citizens not to deposit ash into drainage systems and to instead collect it in plastic bags, as well as to avoid contacting it with water.
El Universal writes that the government of Milpa Alta says that over the past three days, falling ash has been so light that it is "imperceptible". Milpa Alta has not put out any alarms for its inhabitants. However, in 11 different health centers, more than 50,000 masks are ready to be given out in addition to eye medication and drops in the event that individuals' eyes become irritated.
Cenapred indicates that volcanic activity remains steady, with tremors and exhalations of steam and water.
The Popocatépetl volcano, affectionately known in the area as "El Popo", "Don Popo", or "Don Goyo", has been experiencing bouts of enhanced volcanic activity. Cenapred has kept the alert level at Phase 3 Yellow for weeks now. It is the third-highest point on the seven-step scale, and one point below red alert.
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