Ash produced by eruption at Popocatepetl extends more than 250 km (155 miles) toward the Gulf of Mexico

Increased eruptive activity continues at Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano on March 1, 2024. The activity over the past 24 hours consisted of 148 exhalations and 1 034 minutes of tremor.

Satellite images below, captured on February 28, show a large ash column reaching up to 6.7 km (22 000 feet) above sea level and extending for more than 250 km (155 miles) from the top of the volcano into the Gulf of Mexico:

Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM), while confirming its operational status, has reported cancellations of 22 domestic and international flights due to the ash, which has also prompted safety checks following incidents of planes encountering ash en route to the capital.

Slight ashfall was reported in the municipalities of Hueyapan, Yecapixtla and Tetela del Volcán, Morelos; in Ixtacuixtla, Panotla, Tepetitla, Nativitas, Zacatelco, Santa Apolonia Teacalco, San Damián Texóloc, Tetlahuaca, Zacatelco, Xicohtzingo, Papalotla, Tenancingo, Santa Catarina Ayometla, Magdalena Tlaltelulco, San Francisco Tetlanohcan and Teolocholco, Tlaxcala; in Iztacalco, Iztapalapa and Coyoacán, Mexico City; and finally in Atlautla, Ayapango, Ecatzingo, Chalco, Tenango del Aire, Temamatla, Ozumba, Tepetlixpa, Tlalmanalco and Amecameca, State of Mexico.

Over the last couple of days, the Popocatépetl volcano in Mexico erupted several times, spewing ash and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. pic.twitter.com/ja4x8ZHKjc

— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) February 29, 2024

The alert status remains at Level 2. Residents and tourists are advised not to approach the crater within 12 km (7.4 miles) radius.

Authorities warned residents that lahars could occur if heavy rainfall remobilizes these fresh ash deposits.

Featured image credit: USGS/Landsat 8-9, EO Browser, The Watchers