Mexico Volcano ‘Belches’ Plumes of Gas, Ash
The picturesque Popocatepetl volcano that overlooks Mexico City spouted plumes of gas and ash 2 1/2 to 3 miles into the air Thursday in what experts described as the geologic equivalent of a belch.
Although it was the largest volcanic activity at the snow-covered peak in the past five to six months, Robert Quass of Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention said the flare-up did not portend a full-scale eruption.
“The explosions are simply an opening up . . . of respirator tubes that have been blocked with magma since about March,” Quass said. “It is better that this pressure be liberated than contained.”
Towns near the volcano’s northern and eastern slopes received a light dusting of volcanic ash and water from the plumes.
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