Volcano Eruption Alert: Popocatépetl Explodes

Pyroclastic surge from Popocatépetl volcano sets forest alight

Violent eruption at Mexico’s Popocatépetl produced  a Pyroclastic surge climbing 2km above the crater  and setting the nearby forest alight, said Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENPRED ).

The explosion also caused ashfall in the towns of Juan C. Bonilla and Coronango, in the state of Puebla.

Popocatépetl Volcano (“smoking mountain” in Aztec) is North America’s 2nd-highest volcano. The massive stratovolcano stands 5,450m high and lies about 65 kilometers (40 miles)  southeast of  Mexico City (19.023°N, 98.622°W ) in the eastern segment of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt.

Popocatépetl explodes (image #8). Credit: CENPRED

The following is latest report posted at CENPRED official website:

As of posting,  the volcano exhibited “continuous emission of steam and gas” in easterly direction (image 9), said the report.

April 05 at 11:15 (16:15 GMT)

During the last 24 hours, 96 long period events were registered and five explosions yesterday at 16:44 h (image no. 1) and 20:31 h the latter generated a ash column of 2 km height above the crater, which moved towards the northeast. Likewise, the fall of incandescent fragments were observed, mainly on the east and southeast slopes of the volcano at a distance of 3.5 km, because of this some fires were generated in the upper part of the forest (image 2), (image 3), (image 4), (video 1), (video 2), (video 3). This explosion caused ash fall in the towns of Juan C. Bonilla and Coronango, both in the state of Puebla. The remaining three explosions were recorded today at 06:54, 7:14 and 07:49 h (image 5), (image 6), (image 7), (image 8).

Additional materials: (video 4), (video 5), (figure 10), (figure 11), (figure 12).

CENAPRED emphasizes that people SHOULD NOT go near the volcano, especially near the crater, due to the hazard caused by ballistic fragments (image 13).

This type of activity is included within the scenarios Volcanic Traffic Light Yellow Phase 2.

The scenarios forecast for this phase are:

1. Explosive activity of low to intermediate level.

2. Ash fall in nearby towns.

3. Possibility of short range pyroclastic flows and mudflows .

Special emphasis is placed on the following recommendations: Continue the safety radius of 12 km, so staying in that area is not allowed.

Related Links

• Popocatepetl Volcano Alert Level Raised Posted on July 7, 2013
• Explosive Activity Increases at Popocatépetl Posted on May 13, 2013

FIRE-EARTH Disaster Diary – June 18, 2013

73 killed, tens of thousands stranded in north India extreme monsoon

Death toll from flooding and landslides triggered by extreme monsoon rains in north India climbed to at least 73 on Tuesday, said a report.

Meantime, about 73,000 pilgrims bound for the Himalayan shrines weer reportedly stranded in monsoon-ravaged Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Severe flooding and landslips have also destroyed hundreds of homes and dozens of hotels and other commercial buildings, as well as roads and other infrastructure.

The authorities have evacuated thousands of people  living in low-lying areas along the River Yamuna, as  the water level rose above the “danger mark,” said the report.

Road collapses, as flooded river rages in Uttarakhand. Photo credit: AFP. Image may be subject to copyright.

“We are on a war footing, we are working day and night,” said an official in Uttarkashi, where two national highways were blocked by landslides.

Related Links

• Dozens Dead or Missing in India amid Extreme Monsoon Rains June 17, 2013

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Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch for eight states

U.S. Weather Hazards Map. June 18, 2013. Source: NWS

Severe Weather Possible for Parts of northern Rockies, High Plains, Ohio Valley, and Carolinas: NWS

The NWS Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a risk of severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening for four distinct areas across the U.S.: from central Idaho into northwestern Montana; from northwest Texas to extreme southeastern Montana; across central Illinois, southern Indiana and into northern Kentucky; and across the central and eastern Carolinas.

High and Low Temperature for the Contiguous U.S.

High Temperature for Monday, June 17, 2013 (as received by 8 am EDT June 18)

• 115 degrees (46.1ºC) recorded at Ocotillo Wells, CA

Low Temperature for Teusday, June 18, 2013 (as received by 8 am EDT June 18)

• 29 degrees (-1.7ºC) recorded at Kenton, MI
• 29 degrees (-1.7ºC) recorded at Doe Lake, MI

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Popocatépetl Volcano Erupts [again]

Popocatépetl volcano erupted on Monday, sending a column of ash and volcanic gases and into the air and prompting the authorities  to raise the volcano alert level to Yellow (Phase 2.) Access to a 12-km zone around the volcano is  restricted.

Popocatépetl volcano Erupts.  Image Source: CENAPRED