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Ash storm engulfs Puebla after large strombolian eruption of Popocatépetl volcano, Mexico

ash-storm-engulfs-puebla-after-large-strombolian-eruption-of-popocatepetl-volcano-mexico

A large strombolian eruption, lasting several hours and characterized by emission of incandescent fragments and tall ash columns, occurred at Popocatépetl volcano, Mexico on April 18, 2016.

The eruption started at 07:32 UTC (02:32 local time), gradually increasing and presenting short segments of low-amplitude harmonic tremor. 

During the intense phase of this episode, fragments were observed reaching a distance of 1.6 km (1 mile), mainly on the northeastern sector.

The ash columns reached a height of 3 000 m (9 842 feet) above the cráter (8 426 m / 27 644 feet above sea level) and were displaced towards east-northeast.

YouTube video

Video credit: WebCamsDeMexico

YouTube video

Video credit: WebCamsDeMexico

As a consequence ashfall was reported in Puebla, San Pedro Benito Juárez, San Nicolás de los Ranchos, Tianguismanalco, San Martín Texmelucan and Huejotzingo.

The following video shows a haboob-like ash storm, an unusual phenomenon created by strong winds, engulfing the city of Puebla.

YouTube video

Video credit: WebCamsDeMexico

Puebla airport was temporarily out of operation.

Puebla covered in ash on April 18, 2016. Image credit: MexicoNewsDaily

Intense incandescence was observed on April 19 as well as a small steam and gas emission.

CENAPRED emphasizes that people should not go near the volcano, especially near the crater, due to the hazard caused by ballistic fragments.

Geological summary

Volcán Popocatépetl, whose name is the Aztec word for smoking mountain, towers to 5426 m 70 km SE of Mexico City to form North America's 2nd-highest volcano. The glacier-clad stratovolcano contains a steep-walled, 400 x 600 m wide crater. The generally symmetrical volcano is modified by the sharp-peaked Ventorrillo on the NW, a remnant of an earlier volcano. At least three previous major cones were destroyed by gravitational failure during the Pleistocene, producing massive debris-avalanche deposits covering broad areas to the south. The modern volcano was constructed south of the late-Pleistocene to Holocene El Fraile cone.

Three major plinian eruptions, the most recent of which took place about 800 CE, have occurred from Popocatépetl since the mid Holocene, accompanied by pyroclastic flows and voluminous lahars that swept basins below the volcano. Frequent historical eruptions, first recorded in Aztec codices, have occurred since precolumbian time. (GVP)

Featured image credit: WebCamsDeMexico

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One Comment

  1. It may have spared the west coast where the earth has been priced higher and higher by the fake owners with the fiat money. Where is the one ? Distressed renters have angered. But the q should be: ur time or his?

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