Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) – Mexico’s central region rumbles as the colossal Popocatépetl volcano shows escalating signs of activity. Ever since 1994, this giant has been on the watch list, but recent alarms over its intensified activity have become increasingly concerning. Over a span of 40 hours, hundreds of explosions have been recorded, prompting preemptive preparations for potential crises.
Approximately 7,000 soldiers are on standby across the states of Puebla, Morelos, and the State of Mexico, poised to initiate evacuations if needed. Education has come to a standstill in 40 municipalities, while a 12-kilometer security perimeter has been drawn around the volcano, colloquially known as “Popo”. But amidst the growing tension, scientists urge calm, explaining that these episodes have occurred numerous times before. They suggest that the volcano is likely to stabilize without a major eruption, continuing to exhibit high activity and ash emissions.
“It’s probable we’ll witness many similar episodes in the upcoming months,” says Robin Campion, a seasoned volcanologist. His work involves constant excursions to the active volcano, monitoring its conditions. “This activity is essentially a continuous gas leak, which produces a lot of noise and ejects glowing fragments and ash.”
Campion, with his eyes irritated and nose slightly red from the incessant ash fallout, describes the current situation as unique due to its enduring nature and consistent ash production. The ash has already started affecting the State of Puebla, causing the closure of the Hermanos Serdán airport. Next in line is Mexico City, which recently saw chaos erupt at its overcrowded airport due to a brief closure of runways.
Given the timing, “the likelihood of the ash reaching Mexico City is quite high”, warns Ana Lillian Martin, another volcanologist, during a conference held by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She advises caution as the ash can irritate the respiratory tract, eyes, and even skin. Once wet, it forms a hard-to-clean paste, and its dark clouds can impair visibility, damage car windshields, disrupt cellular communications, and even get into aircraft engines.
Despite the rising concern, the time frame for this activity remains uncertain. Campion points out the unpredictability of such events, mentioning the distinct phases of activity, which could span days, months, or even years. “Volcanoes don’t operate on human timelines,” he states, “They’re like enormous machines that accumulate and then release energy.”
The notion that the Popocatépetl volcano wakes every 70 years, remains active for a period, and then returns to slumber is commonly accepted within the Institute of Geophysics. In recent history, this cycle has resulted in events akin to the current one. However, this particular episode hasn’t reached the intensity of previous eruptions, such as the one in 2000 which necessitated the evacuation of 42,000 people.
The situation we’re observing now, in geological and volcanic terms, is comparatively minor, considering the volcano’s age of half a million years,” says Carlos Gutiérrez Martínez, CENAPRED Research Director. The build-up to the current condition started back in December, when the volcano began recharging with gas-rich juvenile magma – the primary driver of eruptions.
The current predicament resembles a patient in an intensive care unit, with specialists on 24-hour shifts, observing, analyzing, and making informed decisions for the best outcome. The continuous eruption is seen as a positive sign as it indicates that the volcano’s conduit system remains open, allowing for the regular release of accumulated energy. However, a sudden drop could indicate a blockage, leading to an explosive release.
Mexico, home to more than 2,000 volcanoes, of which 48 are active or potentially active, is no stranger to volcanic activity. About 60% of the country’s population resides on lands shaped by these geological giants. In the case of Popocatépetl, around nine million people live within a 20-kilometer radius, and extending that to 60 kilometers encompasses about 25 million people. Its proximity to densely populated areas has earned Popocatépetl the dubious distinction of being the second most hazardous volcano globally.
Despite the striking visuals of erupting magma, cascading ash, and the temporary closure of Mexico City and Puebla’s airports crafting a near-apocalyptic tableau, Campion emphasizes the importance of not succumbing to the temptation of sensationalizing the situation.
Though the situation remains uncertain, scientists maintain a watchful eye on the active giant while constantly comparing its activity with previous records. As they grapple with the complexities of predicting volcanic behavior, their aim is to ensure the safety of those living in the shadow of the Popocatépetl volcano.
Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - Mexico's central region rumbles as the colossal Popocatépetl volcano shows escalating signs of activity. Ever since 1994, this giant . . .
