Its Popo
Popocatepetl volcano releases high-level ash emissions
over Gulf of Mexico
By
Teo Blašković
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Popocatépetl volcano in Mexico has shown increased
activity over the past few days, with significant ash
and SO2 emissions recorded since October 24. On October
26, volcanic ash cloud was estimated at approximately
9.1 km (30 000 feet) above sea level, extending about
833 km (517 miles) northeast of the summit into the Gulf
of Mexico.
From October 16 – 22, the Popocatepetl seismic network
recorded 9 – 89 long-period events per day, accompanied
by steam-and-gas emissions. The seismic network also
recorded daily tremors with periods lasting from 54
minutes to 13 hours and 17 minutes, along with a 35-
minute emission episode between October 15 – 16.
A significant tremor episode began at 17:47 UTC on
October 20, accompanied by a gas-and-ash plume that rose
2 km (6 562 feet) above the crater and incandescent
material ejected a short distance from the crater.
Ashfall was reported in Ozumba (18 km/11.2 miles W),
Tlalmanalco (30 km/18.6 miles NW), and Ecatzingo (15
km/9.3 miles SW) in the state of Mexico; and around
09:58 in Tlalnepantla (80 km/49.7 miles NW), Tlayacapan
(40 km/24.9 miles WSW), and Totolapan in the state of
Morelos, according to El Centro Nacional de Comunicación
y Operación de Protección Civil (CENACOM).
Volcanic activity at the volcano increased further on
October 22, with continuous ash emissions observed at
07:06 UTC, rising to 6.1 km (20 000 feet) a.s.l.
By 00:06 UTC on October 23, volcanic ash was reported
reaching 6.7 km (22 000 feet) a.s.l. and extending 130
km (80 miles) northwest of the summit.
Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention
(CENAPRED) reported 22 exhalations and 1 007 minutes of
tremor at the volcano in 24 hours to 17:00 UTC on
October 23.
45 exhalations accompanied by water vapor, volcanic
gasses, and ash were detected in 24 hours to 17:00 UTC
on October 24. Additionally, 908 minutes of high-
frequency and low-amplitude tremor were recorded.
By 17:00 UTC on October 25, CENAPRED recorded another 1
005 minutes of high-frequency tremor of low to moderate
amplitude and 24 exhalations.
“During the morning and at the time of this report, a
continuous emission of water vapor, volcanic gases, and
ash was observed with dispersion towards the northeast
(NE),” CENAPRED volcanologists reported at 17:00 UTC.
Ash emissions increased further by 20:21 UTC on October
25, with a dense volcanic ash plume detected in
satellite imagery rising to approximately 9.8 km (32 000
feet) a.s.l. and reaching about 343 km (213 miles)
northeast of the summit into the Bay of Campeche.
By 02:06 UTC on October 26, a large, dense volcanic ash
plume was observed approximately 833 km (450 miles)
northeast of the summit, with the densest ash within 241
km (130 miles) northeast of the summit
The Washington VAAC reported ash cloud rising to around
9.1 km (30 000 feet) a.s.l.
The Volcanic Alert Traffic Light remains in the Yellow
Phase.
CENAPRED is urging residents and tourists not to climb
the volcano due to explosions that project incandescent
fragments. Additionally, the public is advised to remain
aware of the threat of mud and debris flows in case of
heavy rain. The population is reminded to respect the 12
km (7.5 miles) radius exclusion zone around the crater.
The current eruptive phase at the volcano started on
January 9, 2005.
Popocatepetl is the second-highest volcano in North
America, located 70 km (43.5 miles) southeast of Mexico
City (population 22 million).
This glacier-covered stratovolcano features a steep-
walled crater and is modified by the Ventorrillo peak, a
remnant of an older formation. Past gravitational
collapses during the Pleistocene created extensive
debris-avalanche deposits to the south.
Since the mid-Holocene, the volcano has experienced
three major Plinian eruptions, the latest around 800 CE,
producing pyroclastic flows and lahars.
Historical eruptions, first noted in Aztec records, have
continued into modern times.
References:
1 VAA Popocatepetl – Washington VAAC – Issued from
October 22 – 2024
2 Popocatepetl activity updates – CENAPRED – Issued from
October 23 – 24, 2024
3 Global Volcanism Program, 2024. Report on Popocatepetl
(Mexico) (Bennis, K L, and Sennert, S, eds.) – GVP
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 16 October-22 October
2024
4 Popocatepetl Geological Summary – GVP – Accessed
October 26, 2024
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