Popocatépetl: Volcanic alert changes to yellow phase 3

On the recommendation of Cenapred's scientific advisory committee, the alert level of Popocatépetl volcano is raised to phase 3 yellow.

The yellow color in the volcanic lights represents a warning and phase 3 means intermediate to high activity.

This level does not necessitate evacuation but it does contemplate being prepared for a possible evacuation.

#ÚltimaHora | el nivel de alerta del #Popocatépetl cambia a Amarillo Fase 3🚦
Por recomendación del comité científico asesor de Cenapred, se eleva el nivel de alerta del Popocatépetl a amarillo fase 3.
El cambio en el nivel de alerta aún no contempla evacuaciones de las… pic.twitter.com/81Jo9RHa6v

— SkyAlert (@SkyAlertMx) May 21, 2023

The volcano, located in central Mexico, is considered one of the most dangerous in the world because some 25 million people live within a 100-kilometer (60-mile) radius.

Popocatepetl is located on the borders of the central states of Morelos, Mexico, and Puebla, the capital of which an AFP reporter said Sunday had woken up to a blanketing of gray ash.

According to civil protection coordinator Laura Velazquez, the alert increase also means an elevated risk of spewing magma and "significant explosions of increasing intensity that shoot fragments (of rock) over considerable distances."

The next step, a red alert, triggers mandatory evacuations.

Dozens of shelters have already been opened in areas surrounding the crater.

Popocatepetl, which has not had a massive eruption in more than a millennium, became active again in 1994 and has seen periods of increased activity ever since.